TomatoesNZ Inc

HIGHLY INFORMATIVE CONFERENCE

SESSIONS AVAILABLE ONLINE

Words by Helen Barnes : TomatoesNZ Inc. general manager

Barry O’Neil speaking at the TomatoesNZ AGM

Video recordings of the covered crop sessions now available to watch.

A range of speakers presented on topics of interest to greenhouse growers at this year’s Horticulture Conference at Mystery Creek, Hamilton. These sessions were recorded and are now available to view.

To access the recordings please visit our website and click on the link highlighted on https://www.tomatoesnz.co.nz/ latest-news/covered-crop-conference. Alternatively, these recordings can be viewed via HortNZ’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/horticulturenewzealand Sessions available include: • Greenhouse hygiene practices – a panel session hosted by Barry O'Neil, joined by Stefan Vogrincic (Grower2Grower), Simon Watson (NZ Hothouse),

Jeremy Thompson (Ministry for Primary Industries), and

Jon Harris (Horticentre). The panel provides practical advice on greenhouse hygiene measures. • Pest management using biocontrol in your greenhouse – a journey from investigation to selection, trials, and practice – presented by Emiliano Veronesi (Lincoln

University PhD student), Chris Thompson (Bioforce),

Chris Cowie and Andrew Hutchinson (T&G Fresh). • Covered crop sector decarbonation pathway – an update presented by the Energy Efficiency &

Conservation Authority (EECA) and DETA Consulting. • Developing farm environment plans for greenhouse growers – presented by Andrew Barber, Agrilink.

Reforming industrial allocation in the NZ Emissions Trading Scheme

The Ministry for the Environment (MfE) recently consulted on reforming some aspects of the industrial allocations. Industrial allocations are the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) ‘free units’ that fresh tomato, capsicum and cucumber growers are eligible to apply for as a result of being moderately Emissions Intensive Trade Exposed (EITE) industries at risk of ‘carbon leakage.’ EITE industries are those which spend a large portion of their revenue on energy and are at risk of local production being replaced by imports as the ETS unit price rises. The consultation proposed review of: • Allocation calculations – how many free units growers would qualify for under the scheme. • Eligibility criteria – which sectors can get free units. • How data that determines allocation might need to be reported in the future. • Whether there are other ways of supporting

EITE businesses.

We made a combined submission with Horticulture New Zealand and Vegetables New Zealand Inc. Our points included: • The role of the industrial allocations in ensuring food security and retaining year-round greenhouse vegetable production in the medium term. • Information about ‘carbon leakage risks.’ • Potential improvements for the design of the industrial allocation to enable investment by growers in their businesses for transition to low-emission fuel sources and energy efficiency improvements. • The need for realistic timeframes that provide consistency and certainty for growers. Please contact us if you would like to receive a copy of the submission. MfE will now analyse the submissions received and related policy until the end of 2021. Implementation of any policy changes are not likely to come into effect until 2023 or 2024 if approved by Cabinet.

Agrichemical compliance information poster

A TomatoesNZ poster “New Zealand residue compliance information for fresh greenhouse tomatoes 2021” was mailed to members in September. This replaces last year’s edition of the same poster. A spreadsheet (MS Excel) version is available electronically to members. Please get in touch if you would like the files, or for more copies of the poster. We recommend that growers dispose of the 2020 version of the compliance poster, as some of that information is now out of date. If you have any suggestions for improving the format or information provided please let us know.

Implementation of any policy changes are not likely to come into effect until 2023 or 2024 if approved by Cabinet

Limit visitors

Restrict access

Follow hygiene protocols

Follow site’s washing & disinfection protocol

Inspect plants regularly Inspect plants regularly

• Vigilance – ensure all staff are aware of plant virus symptoms and report anything unusual. • Establish good hygiene practices and processes. START CLEAN – STAY CLEAN. • Limit visitor access. • If something looks wrong, report to MPI 0800 80 99 66 and get it tested.

Wash your hands thoroughly before and after visiting the site and spend plenty of time on the disinfection mat (simply walking over it is not enough). Make sure everything you take into the greenhouse is disinfected.

Wear either disposable coveralls and shoes/boots, or assigned clothing that is regularly laundered (60 C plus with oxy laundry powder) and that is specific to sites or compartments. Different colour clothes could be assigned to different parts of the site, especially if disease is present. Shower and change entire work gear before entering uninfected areas again during the same day.

Only work in one greenhouse section on any one day. If you do need to cross over into another section, repeat the procedure that applies when entering the greenhouse. The same applies when leaving and re-entering the greenhouse, for example after visiting the canteen.

Tool hygiene: have at least two sets of tools that can be switched out and disinfected with each row. Use fresh gloves for each row. Disinfect tools and gloved hands between each plant.

Inspect the plants regularly, and if you notice anything unusual about a plant, report it immediately to MPI (0800 80 99 66).

When taking samples, make sure all sampled material is doublepacked. Disinfect the outside of the packaging.

Follow the site’s instructions on the wearing of workwear when leaving the greenhouse. Wash your hands and disinfect your shoes. Take off any disposable coverings and dispose of these and any plastic bags that have been used. Do not visit any other tomato farms or sites on days when you are at your employer’s farm or site. Do not bring plant material or fruit onto the farm, including tomatoes from elsewhere in a packed lunch.

Only use disposable paper tissues and dispose of them immediately after use. Do not put tissues in your pocket.

Do not take a mobile phone, laptop or pen and paper with you into the greenhouse. If you need to take a phone with you into the greenhouse, make sure it is in a sealed and disinfected plastic cover. Disinfect any items you have taken into the greenhouse prior to exiting.

No jewellery or watches may be worn in the greenhouse. Glasses should be cleaned with a disinfectant wipe before you enter the greenhouse.

Strict hygiene measures are the only way to prevent an infection, and minimise spread. Set up and follow a greenhouse hygiene and disinfection protocol for staff and visitors, and minimise who can go into the greenhouse.

Contact us on 0508 467 869 or visit our website www.tomatoesnz.co.nz/ biosecurity/. If you think something looks wrong in your greenhouse please contact MPI on 0800 80 99 66.

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