Pee weevil ban lifted after four years

A Tararua and Wairarapa community-wide effort, backed by government, has achieved what is thought to be a biosecurity world first.

The complete eradication of the pea weevil from the Tararua/ Wairarapa required a fouryear ban on the growing of peas, not just for commercial growers, but for all gardeners.

Part of the reason for the success of this biosecurity response is that MPI found the infestation early and took swift, decisive action to contain it and prevent it from spreading to other regions.

The existing controlled area notice (CAN) and conditions will no longer be in place, according to MPI.

Federated Farmers has been involved in helping growers work through the processes around the biosecurity response and eradication since the beginning of the response, back in 2016.

“The pea industry is worth $130 million to New Zealand. Wairarapa growers and farmers were initially aghast at talk of a ban on growing for years,” Federated Farmers arable chair, and Wairarapa grower, Karen Williams says.

“But we realised we needed to pull together. And we’d need the support of the government, and the support of the wider community, which we got.

“There were some dark days early on, and a few testy conversations. But I’m proud of the way the farming community and the public responded to this crisis,” Karen says.

Federated Farmers is all too familiar with the damage incursions of unwanted pests and diseases can do to New Zealand’s primary sector.

“It is fantastic to be able to celebrate a win like this one.”

This growing season has gone very well, and there were no detections of pea weevil.

As it has been two years since the last detection, MPI is confident that they have eradicated pea weevil from the Wairarapa.

■ Restrictions on growing peas and using pea straw across Tararua/Wairarapa have been lifted.

■ All commercial growers can again plant peas, with no limits on hectares or potential contracts.

■ Commercial growers can again sell pea straw with no restrictions.

■ All home gardeners can again plant and harvest green peas and use and move pea straw for garden bedding material.

■ All garden centres can again sell pea straw.

In discussion with Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor (centre) and Kieran McAnulty MP at the announcement are Federated Farmers past and present Pea Weevil Response Governance Group members, Stakeholders Liaison Group members and Tararua mayor Tracey Collis.