The New Zealand National Plant Protection Organisation the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) has advised that, effective 20 August 2018, all Cucumber Green Mottle Mosaic Virus (CGMMV) host commodities must be sourced from Pest Free Areas (PFAs) recognised as free of the disease. Until CGMMV PFAs can be demonstrated and recognised by New Zealand MPI, the export of the below host commodities is prohibited.

The new conditions have been established following MPI detecting CGMMV in a consignment of host material from Australia.

Industry Advisory Notice 38: Prohibition of CGMMV host fruit to New Zealand confirms that the affected commodities are:

  • Cucumbers (Cucumis sativus)
  • Melons (Cucumis melo)
  • Watermelons (Citrullus lanatus)
  • Pumpkins/scallopinis/zucchinis (Cucurbita pepo)

The Manual of Importing Country Requirements has been updated to reflect the revised import conditions. You can view these changes here. Consignments currently in transit to New Zealand will be subject to Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing on arrival to verify freedom from the virus.

For more information, see the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources website.

AUSVEG will continue to work with the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources on this issue and will communicate further information to grower-exporters as it becomes available.

This post appeared in the AUSVEG Weekly Update published 21 August 2018. Subscribe to the Update using our online form to receive the latest industry news in your inbox every week!