Bees and pollen

the movement of pollen and flowers to orchards where psa is not detected, and to the south island, is strictly prohibited or restricted

Pollination is one of the most important activities in the orchard calendar. Many kiwifruit orchards rely on artificial pollination, as well as pollination by bees, to ensure effective pollination takes place. The movement of pollen and flowers between orchards and regions must be managed to minimise the risk of disease spread.

Pathway Management Plan requirements

All pollen mills must register with KVH before moving any pollen and meet the requirements of the Pathway Management Plan.

Anyone who has sourced pollen from a mill for further distribution is required to register with KVH and maintain traceability.

Growers must only source from pollen mills that meet the requirements of the Pathway Management Plan.

Pollen mill/provider registration pollen distributor registration

To make compliance easier for mills and enable growers to identify who is compliant, KVH has developed a certification standard, so that KPCS certified mills are compliant with the rules of the Pathway Management Plan.

KPCS “Full Certification” pollen: This is for mills who are milling only flowers from Psa-V Not Detected orchards and have tested Not Detected for Psa-V on all samples in a leaf test. They can supply both Psa-V Not Detected and Psa positive orchards as per the table below.

KPCS “Restricted Certification” pollen: This is for those mills who are milling flowers from Psa positive orchards. They may only supply other Psa positive orchards in a Recovery region. Vines flowers are collected from must not be showing any Psa symptoms at time of collection.

From To South Island To North Island
(not detected orchard)
To North Island
(Psa positive orchard)
North Island
(not detected orchard)
PROHIBITEDAllowed for Full Certification pollen suppliers/distributorsAllowed for certified pollen suppliers/distributors
North Island
(Psa positive orchard)
PROHIBITEDPROHIBITEDAllowed for certified pollen suppliers/distributors
South Island
(not detected orchard)
Allowed for certified pollen suppliers/distributorsKVH authorisation requiredKVH authorisation required

Pollen mills

  • Every pollen mill milling pollen must register with KVH (complete the registration form on this page).
  • If milling Psa-V Not Detected pollen, then the Psa-V Not Detected orchards supplying flowers must have a spring leaf test verifying this status.
  • Complete the Pollen Manual documenting how the requirements will be met.
  • Submit manual to KVH once the above is complete to achieve certification.
  • KVH will issue a KPCS certificate once the above requirements are met. Pollen must not move from the mill until certification has been achieved.
  • Maintain records and be audited to confirm compliance.

Distributor

  • Register with KVH (complete registration form on this page).
  • Ensure the pollen mills being used meet Pathway Plan requirements (see list of KPCS certified mills below).
  • Complete the traceability/distribution record (Appendix 4 template below).
  • Maintain records and be audited to confirm compliance.

Growers

  • Growers wishing to obtain pollen must ensure it is from a KPCS certified pollen mill or a registered distributor.
KPCS certified pollen mills/registered distributors