The recent fruit fly incursions in Auckland and the detection of Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV) in Australia serve as stark reminders that our potato industry faces similar serious threats, including Potato Spindle Tuber Viroid (PSTVd).
Kate Trufitt : Potatoes New Zealand chief executive
When – not if – a new pest or disease incursion threatens New Zealand’s potato industry, how strong will your farm defences be? Our biosecurity response doesn’t rest on border controls alone, but on our daily practices.
How well we as growers collectively maintain robust on-farm biosecurity will go a long way to successfully containing the threat.
When I visit growers, I know that they have a good grip on the necessary measures. However, I think all of us would agree that under the daily pressures of growing – particularly during these trying times – sometimes we take our eye off the threat.
As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Don’t wait for an incursion – refresh your On Farm Biosecurity Plan with your team now. Every operation differs in scale and needs. But by adopting these measures, you protect not only your own business but our entire potato industry.
There is no getting around the fact that these measures require grower investment in both time and money – resources in short supply for many of us. However, as I’ve seen firsthand at the Te Ahikawariki Vegetable Industry Centre of Excellence (VICE) in Pukekohe, good outdoor crop biosecurity can become second nature with the right systems and commitment.
Industry organisations work together closely and provide consistent advice across the sector, but potatoes are particularly vulnerable to pests and disease. Potatoes New Zealand provides useful resources and guidelines about the specific threats.
The movement of people, vehicles, and equipment presents the greatest biosecurity risk. Controlling access through designated entry points and parking areas is essential, as is maintaining thorough cleaning protocols for your machinery and vehicles.
No matter the size of your business, it’s so important that your staff and workers understand the importance of biosecurity measures. They may not realise how easily pests and diseases can spread if introduced. Make sure training is part of your on farm biosecurity plan, include biosecurity in staff induction and provide regular refresher training. Personal hygiene practices cannot be overlooked.
Regular crop scouting allows for early detection, and the “Snap it, Catch it, Report it” approach ensures prompt response to suspicious findings. Reporting a potential incursion is a responsibility that I know every grower takes seriously, but it is naturally also a worrying step to take. That’s why it’s also important to contact Potatoes New Zealand as soon as possible, as we can provide support and advice to help with business continuity and liaison with the authorities.
Together, we can build a resilient biosecurity system that protects New Zealand’s potato industry for generations to come.