Pea Weevil

Formal controls have been put in place in order to eradicate pea weevil (Bruchus pisorum) from the Wairarapa.

On 27 July, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) placed a two-year ban on growing peas within a specified area and placed controls on moving pea material (seed and untreated pea straw) within, in and out of this area. The controls, which have been developed in partnership with the pea industry, are set out in a legal Controlled Area Notice which makes the whole of the Wairarapa, up to and including Pahiatua a Controlled Area.

MPI’s Director Investigation, Diagnostic Centres and Response, Dr Veronica Herrera, says the team, along with the pea growing industry, considered a range of measures to control the insect pest, but ultimately agreed with international experts that the temporary ban on growing peas in the Wairarapa would have the greatest chance of success.

Wairarapa home vegetable growers are also being asked not to plant peas or sugar snap peas for the next two seasons and MPI is working with garden centres and retailers to remove pea seed and also pea straw from shelves in the Controlled Area.

MPI is reviewing its importing requirements and procedures including the fumigation process used to treat all incoming pea seed. What is FAR's role?

FAR has been involved with the Technical Advisory Group and staff are on hand to advise MPI or growers around aspects of the eradication programme. In early August we ran a grower meeting in Masterton to outline potential replacement crop options for growers looking to fill the space that peas would usually take up in their crop rotation.

Velvetleaf

Farm management plans are the key to containing velvetleaf and preventing its spread and as such, are the current focus of the velvetleaf incursion response.

MPI has contacted the owners of all properties where the weed has been found and advised them of the importance of making good decisions around stock movement and crop choices for paddocks where velvetleaf has been found. They have also developed a velvetleaf management template and offered support to all affected farmers who want help in completing that plan.

FAR’s involvement

• FAR remains involved in the incursion response at the Governance and Operations level.
• All enquiries about velvetleaf that go to the MPI 0800 80 99 66 hotline are now being referred to FAR.
• FAR is providing support for farmers and managers who are completing farm management plans.

Growers who have any questions about velvetleaf identification or would like help with their management plans, phone the MPI Biosecurity hotline on 0800 80 99 66