Changing world means biosecurity threat

New Zealand must continually revise and strengthen its biosecurity systems in the face of constantly changing threats, says Peter Ombler, the orchardist who helped the kiwifruit industry recover from the impacts of the disease Psa-V.

Peter’s outstanding leadership through one of the industry’s darkest times is among the reasons he was awarded horticulture’s premier award, the Bledisloe Cup at the Horticulture Conference 2017 in Tauranga.

Today Peter is a member of the Biosecurity Ministerial Advisory Committee which provides independent advice to the Minister for Primary Industries on the performance of the biosecurity system.

“We live in a challenging and complex world, especially in regards to growth in travel. We can’t continue to rely on the current biosecurity model.”

Peter was president of New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated whenthe vine disease Psa was discovered in Te Puke in November 2010.

He applied his considerable orchard knowledge to the search for solutions and was a calm voice in the midst of uncertainty surrounding the New Zealand kiwifruit industry’s future. The industry’s most lucrative gold kiwifruit variety Hort16A was particularly susceptible to the disease, with the result that vines had to be cut out and destroyed and rootstock re-grafted with the new more tolerant gold variety G3.

Difficult times

In response to the disease threat, Kiwifruit Vine Health was set up to address the Psa outbreak. Peter was a foundation member and its second chairman. He subsequently moved KVH from a Psa focus to acting for the kiwifruit industry on all biosecurity risks.

“The Psa outbreak was a difficult time for the industry but as is often the case, those difficulties brought out the best in people and perhaps they brought out the best in me too. The relationships I made during those difficult times have become true friendships which I treasure.”

Biosecurity is not the only threat facing the horticulture industry, says Peter, who joined the kiwifruit industry as a Lincoln University graduate 36 years ago. “Food safety is another big issue and as growers, I know we don’t like compliance but we have to have rules as we can’t afford to get it wrong.”

Single desk marketing

During his presidency of NZKGI from 2008 to 2011 Peter was instrumental in retaining the kiwifruit industry’s single desk status.

That’s an aspect of the industry structure he is also proud of. “The single desk marketing structure is a terrific model other sectors should look at closely and learn from. New Zealand is a tiny country a long way from its markets and we can’t be anything but excellent. We need to focus on value added.”

Horticulture New Zealand president Julian Raine says Peter is an exceptional grower who has been involved in the kiwifruit industry for 36 years and during that time has taken a lead role on critical issues, including the battle against the vine disease Psa-V, for the benefit of all kiwifruit growers.

“Peter has shown effective leadership for growers and has steered the industry through two critical crises that could have destroyed the kiwifruit industry as it is today. He is well-respected by growers, industry leaders, and the government.”

Very similar to the famous rugby trophy also known as the Bledisloe Cup, horticulture’s version was one of several cups Lord Bledisloe presented to New Zealand in 1931.

In recognition of his services to the kiwifruit industry, Peter received the Insignia of a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2013.

Peter and his wife Gwen stabled a mixed orchard at Welcome Bay near Tauranga in the 1980s. Though they have retained the orchards, the couple now live at Nelson where Peter continues to enjoy growing plants, only on a smaller scale.

 

 


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