Plant Pass recognises the diversity among New Zealand plant producers

How Plant Pass works

Plant Pass is a single system recognising and managing the complexity and diversity among plant producers.

It provides a framework for end-to-end risk management from nursery inputs, through production, to plant buyers and their environments.

The scheme’s toolbox, core standard and checklist increases plant producer responsiveness to pest threats before nursery stock is distributed to customers.

The Plant Pass framework strengthens traceability, nursery hygiene measures and pest risk management. Audits are undertaken to assess risk management practices before nurseries become Plant Pass certified.

Plant Pass establishes certified plant producers as trusted suppliers.

Join more than 70 trusted producers.

The Plant Pass Process

Plant Pass structure

Core (generic) standard and checklist

  • The Plant Pass core standard covers hazards common across a wide range of nurseries and the measures and guidance to manage them.

  • Key elements include training, hygiene, crop protection, monitoring and traceability.

Specific modules

  • Plant Pass has specific modules for Phytophthora, kauri dieback disease and myrtle rust.

  • The modules specify additional treatments, monitoring, reporting and testing.

  • Other modules may be developed in the future.

Applicable to all plant producers

  • Plant Pass is for all nurseries: large, small, commercial, community, iwi, container, covered, in-ground.

  • It is scalable and adaptable: where the risks are low, nursery biosecurity systems do not need to be complex.

Steps to Plant Pass certification

1 .Self assessment

Producers assess their current nursery biosecurity systems against checklists to identify any gaps or weaknesses.

2. Plant Pass workshop or webinar

Workshops and webinars are available that provide an overview of hazard identification, management, measures and Plant Pass implementation.

3. Systems improvement and development

Producers build and improve any areas identified as needing work. Support and a guidance toolbox is available.

4. Audit and followup

An auditor visits the nursery to run through its biosecurity systems against the core standard and any modules.

5. Corrective actions

The nursery responds to the audit results and addresses any gaps (non-conformances).

6. Certification

The nursery becomes Plant Pass certified once any non-conformances are addressed.