This week, a paper was presented to the KVH Board that uses a risk matrix to identify the high priority threats to the kiwifruit industry.

On the KVH website there are almost fifty pests and pathogens identified as potential threats to the kiwifruit industry. KVH has developed a risk matrix to provide a structured and objective method of prioritising these organisms into a shorter list for the purpose of readiness and response planning.

The report is a draft and we will be requesting subject experts to review the methodology and results of this report. However, we encourage growers to read the material and engage with KVH their views on this subject.

It is important to also remember the next incursion may not be the organism we have prepared for. Therefore, it is important to maintain a diversity of organisms in the focus group if possible and this is reflected in the report where organisms have finished with equal risk ratings.

The top five threats identified in the report are:

• Fruit Flies (Mediterranean, Oriental and Queensland)
• Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
• Psa—non NZ pathovars
• Spotted wing drosophila
• Ceratocystis fimbriata

Click here to read the report and see the matrix that was used to identify these organisms.