mpi \'throwing the kitchen sink\' at plant disease found in kerikeri

The Ministry of Primary Industry is \"throwing kitchen sinks\" on a plant disease found in krikry \".
Myrtle rust threatens the local species, such as pohuukawa and the manuka honey industry, which is rich in resources.
About 50 MPI staff and contractors are in the Bay of outlying islands town trying to stop the spread of fungi, which have destroyed some Australian plants since they were discovered there in 2010.
According to the junior minister of industry, Nathan Guy, the figure will increase to 100 in a few days, and he flew today with Minister of Protection Maggie Barry to Creek, a sign of the gravity of the invasion.
Barry said that, in addition to the most urgent tasks, the staff of the island Bay DoC have been canceled and they are checking for signs of the disease in the protected area.
The owner of the Kerikeri factory production found the fungus at the Riddell Rd on Tuesday night and they immediately informed MPI.
Later on Wednesday, laboratory tests confirmed it was myrtle rust.
Today, as a result of contracting commercial fungal killing agents spraying buildings, MPI staff checked thousands of seedlings in white overalls and the nursery was blocked.
A sign on the gate said that the nursery had been closed before further notice.
Jeff Gwen, head of MPI response, said all the plants in the nursery were sprayed on Thursday and by the end of today, all the nurseries in the creek area will be inspected.
In the past three months, a lot of effort has been made to track sales in all factories.
The nursery has a comprehensive record of its commercial sales, but no private sales have been recorded.
He urged people who recently purchased plants from any nursery in the creek area to check if their plants showed signs of the disease.
Infected plants have yellow pustules on their leaves, especially during new growth, which begin to curl and die.
Anyone who finds signs of fungus should take a photo and call MPI immediately.
He said it should not be touched.
It may affect any of the 300 myrtle species, including pohuukawa, rata, manuka, kanuka, feijoa, gums and bottle brushes.
The nursery is restricted so there is nothing to get in and out and the MPI staff is checking all the plants in the 500 m range
Information leaflets are being printed and distributed, including in the creek market today and tomorrow.
Gwyn says 1400 high.
Since the discovery of myrtle rust on Raoul Island, 800 north of Cape Reinga about two months ago, \"risk\" sites across New Zealand, including 1100 km in the North
MPI is \"absolutely committed\" to eradicating Myrtle rust and \"throwing kitchen sinks at it,\" he said \".
However, it would be \"naive and reckless\" without a long-term plan\"
Term management of disease.
Including seed reserve, resistance breeding, and fungicides tests.
Learned from Australia, the authorities had been waiting for six months before trying to eradicate the fungus, which had been found in the wild by then.
Gwyn said that there is nothing wrong with the owner of the nursery and that they should be thanked for their diligence and swift action.
The news shocked Manuka honey producers who had faced the worst season in years. Long-
Kerikeri\'s time beekeeper, Graham Wilson, said the disease could be a huge blow to an increasingly important industry in the north.
\"But you have to suck it in and go on.
Kiwi growers have PSA and everyone has their own choice.
\"If you think any of your plants have signs of myrtle rust, please take a photo and call MPI immediately on 0800 80 90 66. Go to www. mpi. govt.
For more information and photos of fungi, please visit New Zealand. -