Imported Italian kiwifruit is a potential pathway for unwanted pest White Peach Scale (WPS) to enter New Zealand. WPS could easily adapt to New Zealand conditions and is therefore considered a serious threat to our kiwifruit industry.

In the coming weeks KVH will be contacting all kiwifruit importers to reinforce the protocols for reducing risk of WPS, including systems for fruit disposal.

This also provides a great opportunity for KVH to raise awareness amongst staff of other unwanted pests and diseases such as Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, including what to look for, when the high-risk seasons are and what to do should they suspect it.

Growers can protect their own orchards by ensuring contractors do not bring imported fruit onto their property as discarded fruit and skins could contain the pest and establish on vines.

A fact sheet on WPS can be found here, if you think you have seen this pest please report to MPI on 0800 88 99 66 and inform KVH also.