The Government-Industry Agreement (GIA) for Biosecurity Readiness and Response was signed on Friday, 9 December by representatives at a potato farm at Koputaroa, near Levin.
Attendees included PNZ and Government representatives, Primary Industries Minister and Koputaroa dairy farmer Nathan Guy and the GIA Secretariat.
The potato industry was worth $814 million a year.
The country’s169 registered potato growers produced 479,000 tonnes of potatoes in 2015 from 10,700 hectare.
Like all other horticulture industries, the potato industry faced a number of biosecurity threats that could damage the industry.
One at the forefront of people’s minds at the moment was the tomato potato psyllid (TPP), PNZ chairman Stuart Wright said.
“MPI have really lifted their game in the biosecurity space, implementing a number of key initiatives to help with the early detection of pests and diseases.
“PNZ considers it is important to play our part as potato farmers to help prepare for and minimise the potential impact from biosecurity pests and disease,” Wright said.
PNZ chief executive Chris Claridge said “Biosecurity prevention and planning are essential to ensure the commercial wellbeing of the potato and wider horticulture industries.
“Potatoes are a much loved part of every New Zealander’s meals.
“We need to protect potatoes from biosecurity pests and diseases to ensure future generations to come will continue to enjoy potatoes with their meals,” Claridge said.
GIA Secretariat manager Steve Rich said “PNZ represents one of the larger vegetable crops and is a significant addition to the partnership.”
