<\/p>\n
For orchardist Simon Cook, biosecurity is closely linked to the resilience of New Zealand’s horticulture sector. His views were shaped by the 2010 detection of Psa in Te Puke, where he was working as a spraying contractor.<\/p>\n
Cook, now the owner of Te Puke-based Cottlevale Farms, a Horticulture New Zealand director, and former Kiwifruit Vine Health chairman, was contracted by the Ministry for Primary Industries during the initial Psa response to spray infected vines.<\/p>\n
He said the experience showed the consequences of being unprepared. Growers cut vines back to stumps, while some faced losing their properties.<\/p>\n
“I realised that I can be the best spray contractor in a failing industry, or I can help lift the industry so that my little business survives alongside it.”<\/p>\n
Cook said New Zealand had been “horribly unprepared” for Psa. During his Nuffield scholarship, he saw similar challenges overseas, including citrus greening in Florida and banana disease in Queensland.<\/p>\n
“Think of biosecurity investment as insurance,” he said.<\/p>\n
“Your house may not have burnt down, but you know there’s a risk it could, so you get insurance \u2013 it’s the same with biosecurity.”<\/p>\n
Cook said New Zealand has strong border biosecurity, but growers and farmers also need to manage risks on their own properties.<\/p>\n
“You have to be your own border control.”<\/p>\n
He said the Government has a role in border protection, rapid responses, and working with industry through the Government Industry Agreement framework. He cited brown marmorated stink bug as an example of risk management being undertaken offshore, including heat treatment of vehicles before they arrive in New Zealand.<\/p>\n
Once a pest or disease passes the border, Cook said rapid action is needed.<\/p>\n
Cook supports Horticulture New Zealand’s calls for stronger early detection, rapid responses, and regulatory settings that allow quick approvals when new threats emerge.<\/p>\n
He said New Zealand has a science-based system for assessing crop protection tools through the Environmental Protection Authority and Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines.<\/p>\n
However, registering new chemistry can be difficult for minor crops because of the cost and time involved.<\/p>\n
“A new chemical registration can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and take years, even when similar information has been accepted by trusted overseas regulators.<\/p>\n
“That may be manageable for kiwifruit as a strong industry, but not for smaller crops such as tamarillos, strawberries, passionfruit or avocados, where sales may never justify the cost.”<\/p>\n
Cook said this can leave growers relying on older, broader-spectrum products when newer, more targeted alternatives are unavailable.<\/p>\n
One of Horticulture New Zealand’s election manifesto priorities is to protect New Zealand from pests and diseases that could damage crops and ensure growers can access tools to produce food responsibly.<\/p>\n
“We are the biggest protectors of our environment,” he said. “We need policies and rules that allow us to manage our environment and work in that environment.”<\/p>\n
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