New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) today confirmed that table grapes imported from Australia could be received using irradiation as a phytosanitary measure.
The MPI said in an industry alert: “Importation and Clearance of Fresh Fruit and Vegetables into New Zealand and the individual IHS: Fresh Fruit/Vegetable Grape, Vitis vinifera from Australia have been updated to include irradiation in the additional declaration and treatment table.”
As part of the table grape consultation, MPI also received new technical information regarding the yellow peach moth (Conogethes punctiferalis) and has updated the irradiation dose for this pest to 289 Gray.
Capsicum and papaya, which are also hosts of yellow peach moth have also subsequently had their doses updated to 289 Gray.
The announcement comes at a time when demand for irradiation services is increasing in Australia.
Servicing the nation’s table grape-growing region in northern Victoria, a new treatment facility by Steritech, an irradiation specialist company, is slated to open this year in Melbourne. The facility complements Steritech’s facility in Brisbane.
