Blueberries New Zealand says the Ministry for Primary Industries’ (MPI) proposed Import Health Standard (IHS) for fresh blueberries is too weak to keep new pests and diseases out of the country.

The draft standard would open the door to fresh blueberries from five countries: the United States, Morocco, Peru, Chile, and Mexico. It is the first IHS MPI has produced for the fruit, says chair Trudy O’Halloran.

“This isn’t just a risk for blueberries on its own; it’s actually a risk for the whole New Zealand horticulture industry,” she says.

New Zealand does not currently import fresh blueberries, as the industry already supplies the fruit year-round. O’Halloran says it produces 6200t a year, worth about $150 million, and exports about 40%, with investment expected to double the sector’s value over the next five years.

She says MPI has rated the pathway into New Zealand as low risk while leaving threats out of its assessment.

“They’ve missed a whole heap of pests out altogether that are in those countries that could potentially come into New Zealand.”

She says the cost of an incursion would fall on the country.

“It costs New Zealanders; why are we risking that?”

Waikato blueberry grower Dan Peach, managing director of Oakberry Farms, says the concern is not about blocking trade.

“We’re a trading country, a trading nation,” he says.

“We rely on exports to other countries as a cornerstone of our industry.”

Peach says the five countries have managed pests and diseases well beyond what New Zealand has faced, and keep picking up new ones.

“New Zealand is just isolated from such a long list of those things that we think should have taken more time to just go through those thoroughly.”

He says the number of pests and diseases MPI considered is smaller than it would assess for a single country, let alone five. He says blueberries New Zealand will lodge a submission with an extensive list of pests and diseases it believes still need to be worked through, backed by detailed information and references.

O’Halloran says some growers have halted plans with the proposal already affecting investment.

“There are a few people who have, just because of the risks associated with the proposed standards.”

Both say the industry has not been listened to.

“It just feels like we’re not being heard,” Peach says.

CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit country-wide.co.nz on how to watch/listen or download the CountryWide CONNECT mobile app, available on Apple iOS and Android.