Apple and stonefruit industry members successfully broker

Apple and stonefruit industry members successfully broker meeting between MPI and US facility to aid reaccreditation process

The nursery and fruit-growing companies at the heart of the legal action against MPI over seized plants and plant material have been working hard to facilitate the rebuilding of the relationship between MPI and the USA-based Clean Plant Centre North West (CPCNW).

This facility has supplied New Zealand orchards and nurseries with new plant varieties for over 30 years and plays a critical role in the future of the New Zealand apple and stonefruit export industry. As part of MPI’s recent review and audit, accreditation of the facility was withdrawn.

As local discussions have continued regarding the release of the 48,000 apple and stonefruit plants and improvements to the outdated MPI standards which apply in this area, industry group members have been working at an international level to patch up the relationship between MPI and CPCNW. They have successfully brokered a face to face meeting between MPI and CPCNW to take place in mid-November, at the facility in Prosser, WA.

Industry member and owner of McGrath Nurseries, Andy McGrath is encouraged that the group and the industry has been able to bring the parties together and hopes that a meeting of the minds will be the first step towards the rapid reaccreditation of CPCNW. The group will continue to liaise with both parties with the aim of achieving an outcome that will be in the best interests of all in the New Zealand apple and stonefruit industry.

-ENDS-

© Scoop Media