Protect
Bio Security
The Ministry for Primary Industries is seeking feedback on the proposed amendments to the Import Health Standard for Vehicles, Machinery and Parts.
The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) is a temperate or subtropical species of stink bug native to Asia (China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan) and is closely associated with imported vehicles and machinery. Whilst BMSB is not present in New Zealand, it is considered one of New Zealand’s most significant regulated pests that requires management that is irrespective of country of origin. The proposed amendment comes at a time when the BMSB ‘high risk’ season begins in September.
MPI propose to add Moldova, Portugal and Ukraine to the list of BMSB risk countries and will continue to closely monitor vehicles, machinery and parts appropriately from countries where BMSB is a native pest. Likewise those non-native countries that are likely to experience much higher populations of BMSB over time due to lack of native competitors and predators will also be closely monitored.
The proposed Import Health Standard for Vehicles, Machinery and Parts was released for consultation on 14 May 2020 and will remain open for consultation until 17 July 2020. For more information visit: Import Health Standard for vehicles, Machinery and Parts
Foster
Employment/Labour
NZAPI are currently working very hard with government to fast track our RSE labour force to ensure they can return home as soon as possible. The cumulative effect of the pandemic and cyclone that hit the island communities of Tonga and Vanuatu in April, means it has been a long time since our RSE workforce have seen their loved ones. NZAPI are doing a great job of working through a priority list and we are all eager to ensure families can be reconnected shortly.
Education
Back to Level 1! Its been great to transition back to near normality for EIT staff and students. Face-to-face classes have started again as well as orchard visits.
A huge boost this month has been the announcement of governments support for vocational training, through a fees free scheme that will last until the end of 2022. It will cover all of the levels of course that the school currently offers from Level 2 to 5. From the 1st of July all programmes offered by the School of Primary Industries will be fees free. This is a great opportunity to train new employees that have come from a different sector without cost. If there is sufficient interest, EIT will have to look at creating a separate cohort.
Year 1 trainees are about to embark on fruit support structures. Pruning is very specific and often personal to a style so it is important that they adapt to the workplace procedures and show an understanding to the goals of the manager.
Year 2 trainees have started their Introduction to Soils and will be working on their weed identification.
Year 3 trainees have almost completed two of their six courses and with a condensed timetable this year , due to Covid-19 , there is a lot to get through before the end of the year.
Fruit Production Diploma consists of eight courses over two years, with the third course, Crop Protection due to start at the end of June. For those enrolling prior to the 1st of July, the courses would be fees free.
For further information, please contact EIT Tutor Gordon Reid on greid@eit.ac.nz or 06 8301851.
Promote
Many businesses, including ourselves can thankfully start planning our event calendar for the coming year, as we move out of Covid restrictions.
The renowned Fishing Competition will be held at the end of October/early November, the Industry Awards Night will be held in an exciting new venue on 28th January and the Young Fruitgrowers’ Competition on the 3rd-4th June 2021. Hawke’s Bay Showgrounds have also confirmed the National Horticulture Field days will take place on the 2nd and 3rd June 2021. Further dates will be released on our Facebook page and website so make sure you follow us and spread the word!
To make these events even greater, we are seeking sponsorship and have an array of digital benefits available to your business. The regions ability to attract young horticulturists into this dynamic, progressive industry, requires commitment from businesses and events to showcase what makes horticulture a great industry to be involved in. We’d love to hear from you!
We’re also excited to offer members advertising in our monthly newsletter. If you are interested in aligning your business with a dynamic and progressive industry association, please contact us for further information marketing@hbfa.co.nz
With the new branding and digital strategy in place, we’re pleased with the strong response to our new social media presence to date. Thank you, to all of our members new and old, for taking the time to check us out! If you have not already done so, please subscribe to our Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn pages, as we regularly send information through these social media channels – most of all, if you like what you see, give us the thumbs up!
