Wednesday, 05 September 2018 13:24

Apple and stonefruit future questioned

Written by 
What's next for the apple and stonefruit industry? What's next for the apple and stonefruit industry?

Orchardists and nursery owners are starting to raise questions about the future of the apple and stonefruit industry.

The questions follow a messy battle with MPI over the fate of 48,000 apple and stonefruit trees. 

The High Court deemed MPI’s initial directive to contain and/or destroy the plants under Section 116 of the Biosecurity Act unlawful. Today at 5pm new directives will be proposed from MPI, despite affected apple and stonefruit industry members claiming MPI has had little communication with them.

Whilst all member’s actions are focussing on the directives for the 48,000 plants in question, the orchardists and nursery owners are starting to raise questions about the future of the apple and stonefruit industry.

“MPI has not moved forward with any pace to re-accredit the CPCNW facility in the US, which leaves us at a loss as to how we will access innovative plant varieties to future-proof our industry and maintain a globally competitive industry position,” says Kerry Sixtus of Pattullo’s Nurseries.

“MPI talked about accessing material through other channels such as Canada or France, but MPI has yet to publish their audit reports or indicate whether they will issue import permits for plant materials from these facilities.

“Not all facilities have the same stock. It is not like shopping for groceries, where you have a choice of retailers. We are dealing with unique and limited plant varieties. For that we need to go to specialist stores and build long-term relationships to ensure we have access to the right products,” says Sixtus.

More like this

Bikinis in cowshed

OPINION: An animal activist organisation is calling for an investigation into the use of dairy cows in sexuallly explicit content posted on social media and adult entertainment subscription site OnlyFans.

Editorial: Agri's mojo is back

OPINION: Good times are coming back for the primary industries. From sentiment expressed at Fieldays to the latest rural confidence survey results, all indicate farmer confidence at a near-record high.

Featured

Dr Mike Joy says sorry, escapes censure

Academic Dr Mike Joy and his employer, Victoria University of Wellington have apologised for his comments suggesting that dairy industry CEOs should be hanged for contributing towards nitrate poisoning of waterways.

People-first philosophy pays off

The team meeting at the Culverden Hotel was relaxed and open, despite being in the middle of calving when stress levels are at peak levels, especially in bitterly cold and wet conditions like today.

Farmer anger over Joy's social media post

A comment by outspoken academic Dr Mike Joy suggesting that dairy industry leaders should be hanged for nitrate contamination of drinking/groundwater has enraged farmers.

From Nelson to Dairy Research: Amy Toughey’s Journey

Driven by a lifelong passion for animals, Amy Toughey's journey from juggling three jobs with full-time study to working on cutting-edge dairy research trials shows what happens when hard work meets opportunity - and she's only just getting started.

National

Machinery & Products

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Faking it

OPINION: Demand for red meat is booming, while it seems the heyday of plant-based protein is well past its 'best…

M.I.A.

OPINION: The previous government spent too much during the Covid-19 pandemic, despite warnings from officials, according to a briefing released…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter