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Medal for horticultural scientist
New Zealand Plant Protection Society
September 22 2011
Dr Jim Walker’s significant contribution to plant protection during a 30-year career has been recognised by the Plant Protection Society.
Dr Walker, who works with Plant & Food Research in Havelock North, was presented with a prestigious New Zealand Plant Protection Medal during the 64th New Zealand Plant Protection Society Conference in Rotorua in August.
Reflecting on his work, Jim says he is most proud of having helped reduced pesticide use in fruit production.
He leads a team of Plant & Food researchers focused on developing innovative tools and techniques for managing pests and diseases affecting the New Zealand horticultural industry.
His work includes developing and supporting the implementation of Integrated Fruit Production (IFP) programmes, which reduce reliance on pesticides.
During a five-year period in the 1990s, Jim led the whole pipfruit sector to switch from a calendar-based pest and disease management programme to one modelled around monitoring and thresholds for making spray decisions and use of new, selective products.
He is regularly acts as a scientific advisor on phytosanitary issues to support New Zealand’s case in market access negotiations with overseas countries. Recently he served as a technical expert on the New Zealand team that went to the World Trade Organisation in Switzerland to successfully argue that Australia should allow the import of New Zealand apples.
Plant Protection Society President Karyn Froud, who works for the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, says the Medal recognises the very top researchers and industry leaders who have progressed Plant Protection science.
“Jim’s expertise is acknowledged both nationally and internationally,” she says.
“He stands out as a researcher who is keen to transfer science to being useful in the orchard. He presents his research in a very accessible way at conferences, grower meetings and technical workshops.”
He has also written or co-authored approximately 60 scientific papers and more than 100 articles, industry manuals and sector reports.
Jim’s current interests include a focus on developing tools such as computer software to analyse industry-wide databases – for traceability and to manage environmental risks from sprays.
He has also provided crucial guidance for the application of IFP to other sectors including wine grapes, summerfruit, citrus and onions.
Dr Jim Walker is profiled in a YouTube clip at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0S2z06e4HVA
ENDS
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