The group was updated on the response to date and looked at the planned surveillance for this season.

As black–grass is known to flower over December to January in Canterbury, surveillance will be stepped up during this period, but will continue until all risk of flowering for the season is over.

The NZ Seed Producers Association (NZSPA) discussed a voluntary process to trace seed offal that they are promoting to their members.

Seed and Grain Crop Readiness and Response noted that the project, ‘Biosecurity – the farm border’, co-funded by the Sustainable Farming Fund will start soon. The project aims to develop a Farm Biosecurity Plan with modules that can be readily adapted by cropping farmers.

Those who think they have found black-grass are advised to take a photo with their phones and call the Pest & Disease Hotline 0800 809 966 to report the find.

Source: FAR