Plant health protection in the United States

Abstract

New Zealand has less than 20 per cent of the serious plant pests and diseases that could establish in our temperate climate. Pastoral farming purchases above 75 per cent of our imports and our horticultural export potential has been estimated as increasing to $500m in the 1980s. Relative freedom from pests and diseases of international quarantine significance provides a critical trading advantage. This will only be retained by providing an efficient and effective quarantine and plant protection service. Should a pest such as fruit fly gain entry and establish, the consequences would by disastrous for our horticultural industries. Japanese beetle could be equally devastating in our pastures. Quarantine is an international discipline. As a nation dependent on exports of primary produce for our continuing prosperity we must be aware of, and ready to respond to, al I quarantine developments that could be significant to retaining our present trading advantages. The objectives of the study tour were: . to look at international experience in plant health protection, . to gain personal contacts with people responsible for health and quality assurance, . to acquire knowledge to strengthen New Zealand's quarantine screen, . to assess the effectiveness of methods in use for control ling the exotic pests and diseases that continually threaten our economy. An additional aim was to compare, for the New Zealand Potato Board, the New Zealand approach to potato cyst nematode control with U.S.A. and U.K. programmes. I do not intend, in this report to repeat the summary of my findings in this area which was presented in an interim report to the Potato Board in December 1980. It is intended to prepare a separate report on this subject after the potato industry responds to the recommendations made in the interim report. A visit to the United Kingdom, which made up part of this study tour, was largely concerned with potato cyst nematode control and associated research. As such it is reported elsewhere. After an outline on plant health protection philosophy and operation in New Zealand, the main part of this report is a diary record of observations. Throughout this record, key points, or issues with particular relevance, are highlighted in italics.