PROTECT
Spy Valley harvest, 2020
Pruning Update A letter from Wine Marlborough Dear Member As harvest continues in Marlborough, grape growers minds will be turning to thoughts of winter pruning. New Zealand Winegrowers (NZW) and Wine Marlborough, along with the Marlborough RSE employers, have been working closely together to give you the best information as soon as we can. Because labour supply will be tight, the Bragato Research Institute will be releasing a range of materials about different vineyard management and pruning options you will need to consider for this winter, and what the research says about those options. There are many moving parts that will affect the Marlborough labour supply for this winter, due to the disruptions caused by COVID-19, and we do not have all the answers yet. However, there are a few things we want to let you know now. • There is going to be a shortfall in the number of RSE workers available this winter. We do not know the exact gap yet. • NZW is managing the relationship with key government agencies and asking government to promptly provide flexibility around arrangements for RSE workers – whether that be summer RSE workers staying in New Zealand, or RSE workers moving between regions. NZW are also seeking confirmation that existing joint RSE arrangements will continue. • NZW is also seeking flexibility for vintage workers on AIP or Essential Skills visas who may wish to stay on for pruning, and to allow tourists/backpackers to work (either on new or extended working holiday visas, or otherwise). 10 / Winepress April 2020
• NZW has also asked the Ministry of Social Development what assistance the government could provide, for example to support the training of untrained New Zealanders who have been displaced from work. The answers to the above questions and further efforts to establish and verify the gap in the winter workforce will help us determine the available supply of workers this winter. You can help reduce that gap by utilising more local staff than you normally may. The COVID-19 Alert Level 4 restrictions affect what work can be done by “essential businesses”. NZW has released an updated Q&A for operating as an Essential Businesses document, (nzwine.com/en/covid19/practicaladvice-for-vineyards-and-wineries/) which includes more detail about what work can and can’t be done by essential businesses during Alert Level 4, and on observing the 2m rule. Key points to note include: • A vineyard may reasonably conclude that, in the circumstances, it is essential to start pruning before Alert Level 4 finishes. If you reach that conclusion it will be important you have made notes on your decision making, in case you are challenged later. • Remember the rules of social distancing still apply as workers travel to your workplace and the 2m rule will need to be strictly observed at all times by everyone on your property. • If you still haven’t registered as an essential business, and decide that you need to start pruning during the Alert Level 4 period, you should register now. If you still haven’t registered as an essential business, and decide that you need to start pruning during the Alert Level 4 period, you should do so. Guidance and links to register are here (or at mpi.govt.nz/covid-19-essential-primary-sector-serviceregistration/) However, it is essential that all parties get their systems and procedures in place to keep their workers safe and meet MPI requirements before commencing any pruning work. We therefore recommend allowing time to finish the grape harvest and for the grape vines to shut-down post harvest before pruning could begin after Easter on a schedule that suits you and your contractor.
