The Ministry for Primary Industries’ (MPI) is offering a cost-effective post-entry quarantine (PEQ) service through which new plant varieties can be imported. In line with the Ministry’s strategy to grow and protect New Zealand, the Plant Health and Environment Laboratory (PHEL) in Auckland, has extended its services to support the grapevine industry by providing a one-stop-shop for quarantining and testing plants.
Importation of grapevine into the PHEL quarantine facility will cost approximately $10,000 for one plant of one variety and around $23,000 for one plant each of ten varieties; this is based on a two-year quarantine period. Space within the PHEL PEQ facility for grapevine importations will be available from May 2012.
Grapevine germplasm may be imported into New Zealand as seed, tissue culture or cuttings. Plant material in quarantine will undergo inspection and a suite of diagnostic tests to ensure freedom from damaging pests and diseases. Some of these pests and diseases could cause significant damage to the industry if they were to establish.
The PHEL PEQ facility has been set up to provide quarantine services where there is no suitable private provision. The purpose of the service is to enable the growth of primary industries by enabling access to new germplasm. No profit is made and costs are recovered only for staff time, equipment and consumables. ν
