Myrtle Rust Specific Module updated

The Myrtle Rust Specific Module in the Plant Pass biosecurity scheme has been updated. These updates reflect new science and tools arising out of NZPPI’s work with Plant and Food Research and HortPlus. The changes only affect producers who grow myrtaceae.

The new NZPPI Plant Disease Management Platform contains up-to-date weather summaries, seasonal growing factors and forecast information. The platform includes the Myrtle Rust climate model to help producers manage the disease using forecasted climate information.

Principle updates of the Myrtle Rust Specific Module are the use of a risk-based approach to monitoring and fungicide use (recognising the climate model) and removing the need for a nursery dispatch declaration.

These changes are reflected in Section 20 of the checklist where criteria 20.14, 20.16-19 have been updated.

For full details, view the Myrtle Rust Specific Module.