Travelling overseas these school holidays?

Kiwifruit growers travelling during the school break (starting next Friday 28 September) may find they experience more interventions when returning to New Zealand. This is because Quarantine Officers consider occupation as part of their risk assessment, and growers could potentially pose a greater biosecurity risk based on the likelihood they may have visited offshore orchards and farms during their travels.

Kiwifruit growers returning to New Zealand should:

• Before packing, clean all risk items (e.g. shoes and equipment) that may have come into contact with any soil or plant material. Ideally use a sanitiser.
• Declare any visits to an orchard or farm while overseas.
• Declare or dispose of any risk goods on entry (e.g. food items).
• Answer all questions honestly, even if it means a short delay getting through border clearance.

KVH has put together a useful one page fact sheet outlining everything growers can do to help reduce biosecurity risk and what they can expect through border control when returning home.