Plants now free of rust at depots

The MPI has now cleared all plants for release from the Pungarehu and Opunake depots.

Distribution of thousands of riparian plants from some Taranaki Regional Council depots can now resume after a clearance from the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).

Distribution was postponed earlier this month when myrtle rust was found on one pohutukawa plant at the Taranaki Regional Council's Lepperton depot, one of five depots where farmers in the Council's riparian management programme collect plants.

The MPI has now cleared all plants for release from the Pungarehu and Opunake depots, and non-myrtle species from Stratford and Hawera.

The Council is contacting farmers personally to arrange pick-up details. The Ministry says myrtle rust was not detected in a thorough inspection of plants at the four depots, and all plants have been treated with fungicide. However the myrtles -- including pohutukawa, manuka and kanuka -- will need to be held at Hawera and Stratford depots until MPI can be sure the plants will not be able to spread myrtle rust.

Council's Director-Operations, Stephen Hall, says the Lepperton nursery remains closed.

"We're working closely with MPI to take the necessary measures to ensure myrtle rust is not spread."

Stephen says Up to 10 Council staff have been assisting MPI with the myrtle rust response in Taranaki since the fungus was first detected in a Waitara nursery in early May.