Risk Management Proposal:  
 
Fresh Island Cabbage Leaves  
(bele, lau pele, raukau viti, aibika) 
(Abelmoschus manihot ) 
 
 
From  
Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa, Cook Islands and 
Kingdom of Tonga  
 
 
     
FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION 
 
 
 
 
  
Date: May 2012 
 
 
 
    
Risk Management Proposal: Fresh Island cabbage  leaves from Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa,  Cook Islands and Kingdom of Tonga .  
 - Draft  - Page 2 of 26  
 
 
   
 
 
 
  
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)  
Pastoral House  
25 The Terrace  
PO Box 2526 
Wellington 6140 
New Zealand  
  
Tel: 64 4 894 0100 
Fax: 64 4 894 0662 
   
Import and Export Standards  
Ministry for Primary Industries  
  
 
 
 
Risk Management Proposal: Fresh Island cabbage1 leaves  (bele, lau pele, raukau viti, aibika ) from Fiji, 
Vanuatu, Samoa, Cook Islands and Kingdom of Tonga  
 
   
FOR PUBLIC CONSULTATION  
   
Date xxxxx 
 
  
 
1 Island cabbage would be used throughout this project to depict the common name for Abelmos chus manihot  
that is applicable to Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa, Cook I slands and Kingdom of Tonga.   
Risk Management Proposal: Fresh Island cabbage  leaves from Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa,  Cook Islands and Kingdom of Tonga .  
 - Draft  - Page 3 of 26 Contents  
 
Purpose ……………………………………………………………………………………...4 
 
Background………………….. ...............................................................................................4 
Market access request ……………………………………………………………………..4 
Commodity Description ....................................................................................................... 4 
Sources of information considered for the risk management proposal  ............................... 4 
 
Objective ……………………………………………………………………………………5 
 Summary of the Risk analysis  outcomes  .................................................................................5 
Identified risk organism groups  ......................................................................................  5-8 
 Risk management  ....................................................................................................................9 
Summary of proposed risk management measures  .......................................................... …9 
Details of the proposed risk management measures ………………………………….10- 12  
 
Verification inspection on arrival in New Zealand ………………………………………..13 
 
 
Auditing…………………………………………………………………………………….13 
 
Summary of the Fresh Island cabbage leaves export pathway  
Proposed pathway description ............................................................................................13 
 
Steps in proposed export pathway ...………………………...……………………………...14 
 Proposed IHS requirements:  .................................................................................................15  
 References …………………………………………………………………………………16 
 Appendix 1: The end to end phytosanitary export process with Control Points . ......... 17 - 19 
 Appendix 2: Risk organisms  .......................................................................................... 20 - 26 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
Risk Management Proposal: Fresh Island cabbage  leaves from Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa,  Cook Islands and Kingdom of Tonga .  
 - Draft  - Page 4 of 26 Purpose  
The purpose of this document is to:  
• Provide a summary of risks associated with the import of Abelmoschus manihot  (island 
cabbage, bele, lau pele, raukau viti, aibika ) leaves from Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa, Cook 
Islands a nd Kingdom of Tonga .  
• Provide a rationale for the preferred phytosanitary measures considered for managing the 
risks.  
• Seek stakeholder feedback on the proposed phytosanitary measures  included in this risk 
management proposal (RMP) for the importing require ments for fresh Island cabbage 
leaves for human consumption from Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa, Cook Islands and Kingdom of 
Tonga to New Zealand . 
Background  
 Market access request  
The government s of Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa, Cook Islands and Kingdom of Tonga, requested  
New Zealand for market access of Island cabbage leaves  (Abelmoschus manihot ) for human 
consumption.  This pathway has the potential to introduce harmful organisms to New Zealand. The analysis of risk and appropriate management measures is supported by the  
MAF  import risk analysis for fresh Island cabbage  leaves from Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa, Cook 
Islands and Kingdom of Tonga  (MAF, 2011) .   
 
Commodity Description  
“Island cabbage leaves ” for human consumption is defined as the harvested fresh leaves of 
cultivate d varieties of Abelmoschus manihot  (L) trimmed at the stem end of the petiole to 
exclude any part of the stem, flowers, seed pods or roots; cleaned, packed and transported to 
New Zealand, for consumption. It is a hibiscus -like leaf crop of highly variable leaf shape 
and colour  between the many cultivated varieties .  
 
Sources of information considered for the risk management proposal  
In the development of the risk management proposal for importation of fresh Island cabb age 
leaves from Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa, C ook Islands and Kingdom of Tonga , the following 
information was used to identify risk organisms and the appropriate measures to manage the 
risk of their entry and establishment in New Zealand.     
 Import risk analysis for Fresh Island cabbage leaves for Consumption from Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa , Cook Islands and Kingdom of Tonga  (MAF, 2011 ).This is available 
on request.  
 The report by FAO (2009) on the application for market acces s of Island cabbage into 
New Zealand and the information provided by the Secretaria t of the Pacific 
community (SPC) on pest s and diseases associated with Island cabbage leaves from 
Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa, Cook Islands and Kingdom of Tonga including the  pest list 
extracted from the UNDP/FAO –SPEC survey report conducted in1982;  
 Preston SR ( 1998) Aibika/Bele Abelmoschus manihot (L.) Medik. Promoting the 
conservation and use of underutilised and neglected crops.  
 MPI NZ Interception records on Quancargo Database for closely related commodities; Abelmoschus esculentus  and Hibiscus sabdariffa. 
 Relevant literature and database searches.  
     
Risk Management Proposal: Fresh Island cabbage  leaves from Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa,  Cook Islands and Kingdom of Tonga .  
 - Draft  - Page 5 of 26 Additional information on production systems , pest management and packhouse  procedures 
were also considered in the development of the proposed management system through 
engagement with the National Plant Protectio n Organisation ( NPPO ) of the requesting 
countries.  
Objective  
The objective of  phytosanitary measures is to effectively manage known risks  associated with the 
importation of Island cabbage leaves for human consumption from Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa, Cook Islands  
and Kingdom of Tonga  in a way that is  consistent with New Zealand’s domestic legislation and 
international obligations  under Article 3.1 of the World Trade Organisation ( WTO ) Agreement on the 
Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (the SPS Agr eement) (WTO 1995)].  
Summary of the Risk analysis outcomes  
 
Identified risk organism groups  
In total , 198 organisms were initially identified as associated with Island cabbage  leaves 
grown in Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa, Cook Islands and Kingdom of Tonga. These i nclude species 
which use the commodity for some part of their life cycle, as well as species for which there 
is evidence of an opportunistic association with the commodity (hitchhikers).  Of these associated organisms, 74 were found to be potential risk or ganisms . The organisms were 
classified into seven groups based on their biology and method of association with the commodity, and 14 species assessed as examples of the groups.  
 Twelve of the fourteen organisms assessed as examples, in s even  of the groups, were found 
to be risk organisms .  These groups and organisms are depicted in Table 1  on page 6.  
Criteria for risk organisms  on Island cabbage leaves  to New Zealand (Appendix 2);  
1. present in Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa, Cook Islands and Kingdom of Tonga  and absent 
from New Zealand ; or present in New Zealand and still considered a risk as the 
organism is under official control , or is a vector;  and  
2. known to be associated with leaves  by living on the leaves in  the f ield; or   
3. is known to be opportunistically associated with leaves as a result of harvest or handling processes; and  
4. is likely to be present on the pathway if risk was unmitigated, and capable of 
surviving transport to New Zealand; and  
5. their hosts included species present in New Zealand, and t he organism is capa ble of 
reaching a host if it arrived via the pathway; and  
6. climatically is able to establish in New Zealand ; and/or  
7. is likely to cause an impact on New Zealand ’s economy, environment or human health  
             
Risk Management Proposal: Fresh Island cabbage  leaves from Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa,  Cook Islands and Kingdom of Tonga .  
 - Draft  - Page 6 of 26 Table 1.  Summary of risk organism groups associated with Island cabbage leaves from 
Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa, Cook Islands and Kingdom of Tonga. 
Group  description  Characteristics  of the group  Organism s assessed as example s of 
group (the significant life st age is 
noted)  
A.   mobile arthropods 
that are cryptic and/or 
small  At least one life stage uses Abelmoschus manihot  
leaves  directly for it’s development ; 
At least one life stage likely to be relatively hard to 
detect during harvest, sorting and inspection, and 
may move off or be shaken off the commodity.  Aphis fabae -bean aphid  
(aphid nymphs and adults)  
 Haritalodes derogata- cotton leaf roller  
(moth larvae)  
 
B.  sessile arthropods that are cryptic and/or 
small   
 One life stage  at least  uses Abelmoschus m anihot  
leaves  directly for it’s development ; 
At least one life stage likely to be difficult to detect 
during harvest, sorting and inspection and will 
remain on the commodity through the entire 
duration of the life stage.  
 Aleurodicus disper sus-spiralling w hitefly  
(whitefly eggs and nymphs)  
 
Maconellicoccus hirsutus -pink mealybug  
(eggs, nymphs)  
 
Pseudaulacaspis pentagona- white 
peach scale  
(eggs, nymphs and adult female scale)  
 
C.  arthropods that feed 
internally                      At least one life stage  uses Abelmoschus manihot  
leaves  directly for it’s development  ; 
At least one life stage likely to be difficult to detect 
in Island cabbage leaves until they emerge.  
 
 
 Aphelenchoides besseyi - rice leaf 
nematode  
(foliar nematodes)  
 
Earias vittella - aibika  tip borer  
(moth larvae)  
 
D. arthropods that are 
obvious and/or large                  At least one life stage uses Abelmoschus manihot 
leaves directly for it’s development  ; 
At least one life stage likely to be relatively 
conspicuous during harvest, sort ing and inspection.  Adoretus versutus - rose beetle  
(adult beetles)  
 Achatina fulica - giant African snail  
(juvenile snails)  
 
Amblypelta cocophaga cocophaga-  
coconut bug 
(nymphs and adult bugs)  
 
E.  hitchhiker organisms                        No direct biol ogical association with the commodity  
i.e. does not use Abelmoschus manihot  leaves  for 
development.  
Association is opportunistic.  
Often highly mobile and can leave the commodity 
at any given opportunity.  Solenopsis  geminata - tropical fire ant  
(ant workers and queens)  
 
F.  fungal pathogens that 
are spread by wind 
and/or rain              At least one life stage uses Abelmoschus manihot  
leaves  directly for it’s development  ; 
Transmitted to and from plants by wind or rain.  
Micro -organisms whose presence can only be 
detected on Abelmoschus manihot leaves  using 
specific tests or if there are visual symptoms  Choanephora  cucurbitarum - wet rot 
disease  
 
Choanephora infundibulifera-  
choanephora blight  
 Oidium  abelmoschi - powdery mildew  
 
Pseudocercospora  abelmoschi - leaf spot  
 
G.  systemic pathogens that are spread by 
arthropod  vectors           
 
 Micro -organisms such as viruses that are 
associated with Abelmoschus manihot  leaves .  
Presence can only be detected using specific tests 
or if there are visual symptoms.  
  Undescribed viruses  
 
     
Risk Management Proposal: Fresh Island cabbage  leaves from Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa,  Cook Islands and Kingdom of Tonga .  
 - Draft  - Page 7 of 26 A. Mobile arthropods that are cryptic and/or small   
The organisms belonging to this group are those which are small and not readily detectable, 
either because of their size, and/or their colouration , and /or their behaviour. The lif e stages 
that have been considered in this group are those that are mobile ( i.e., eggs  of these 
invertebrates are considered in group B).The types of organisms in group A include mites, very small beetles, aphids, planthoppers, the first instars  or crawler s of scale insects and 
mealybugs, whitefly, thrips and small larvae of moths for which Island cabbage leaves are a 
known host. They directly feed on leaves of Island cabbage and can also affect other plants . 
These organisms are mobile in that they can walk , crawl, run, fly and/or be carried by air 
currents (e.g. crawlers, ballooning mites). The phytosanitary  risk from this group of 
organisms  is assessed using the aphid Aphis fabae  and the cotton leaf roller moth (larvae) 
Haritalodes derogat a as examples.  T he likelihoods of entry of Aphis fabae and Haritalodes 
derogata are considered to be low and low to moderate, respectively, while the likelihood of exposure is moderate and low.  The likelihood of establishment for both are considered to be moderate; the e conomic consequences of establishment of these organisms  in New Zealand 
are low to moderate and low, while the environmental consequences are considered to be low. 
 B
. Sessile arthropods that are cryptic and/or small   
The organisms belonging to this group are the non -mobile life stages . They may not  be 
readily detectable because of their small size and/or colouration and/or behaviour. The types of organisms considered in this group include the eggs of mites, beetles, weevils, bugs, planthoppers, moths/butt erflies, thrips and grasshoppers , the eggs and nymphs of whitefly 
and the eggs, nymphs  and adult life stages  of scale insects and mealybugs that are known to 
use Island cabbage leaves.  In most cases these are life stages  that would not be easily 
dislodged at harvest.  The phytosanitary  risk from this group of organisms  was assessed using 
the spiralling whitefly Aleurodicus dispers us, mealybug Maconellicoccus hirsutus and white 
peach scale Pseudaulacaspis pentagona as examples.  The likelihoods of entry and e xposure 
of A.  dispers us and M.  hirsutus  and P.  pentagona are considered to be low. The likelihoods of 
establishment are considered to be low, moderate and low, respectively.  The economic consequences are moderate, low and moderate while the environmental consequences of establishment of these organisms in New Zealand are low, low and low to moderate, respectively.  
 C. Arthropods that feed internally  
This group comprises organisms that feed inside the plant. In this risk analysis they are the 
larval life stages  of leaf -mining or pod/stem -boring moths, and all life stages  of foliar 
nematodes that are known to use Island cabbage leaves.   The phytosanitary  risk from this 
group of organisms  is assessed using the foliar nematode Aphelenchoides besseyi  and moth 
larva Earias vitella  as examples.  The likelihoods of entry of A.  besseyi  and E.  vitella  are 
considered to be low and low to moderate, while the likelihoods of exposure are moderate and low, respectively. The likelihoods of establishment are considered high and low, respectively.  The economic consequences of establishment of these organisms in New Zealand are low to moderate and very low, respectively, while environmental consequences are considered to be low.  
 
         
Risk Management Proposal: Fresh Island cabbage  leaves from Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa,  Cook Islands and Kingdom of Tonga .  
 - Draft  - Page 8 of 26 D. Arthropods that are obvious and/or lar ge 
The organisms belonging to this group are considered to be of a size and/or appearance  
and/or behaviour  which would make them readily visi ble at inspection . They are mobile 
(walk , crawl , run, fly) and include beetles, weevils, snails, bugs, moths and gr asshoppers  It is 
likely these organisms would mostly be detected  in the field during harvest. The 
phytosanitary risk from this group of organisms  was assessed using the beetles Adoretus 
versutus, the  snail Achatina fulica and coconut bug  Amblypelta cocophaga cocophaga as 
examples. The likelihood of entry of A.  versutus  is considered to be negligible and therefore 
it is not a risk on the commodity. The combinations of likelihoods and consequences for  A. 
cocophaga are considered to be  sufficiently low  overal l to conclude that the risk on this 
commodity is negligible , For Achatina fulica, t he likelihoods of entry and establishment are 
considered low . The economic and environmental consequences of establishment of A. fulica  
in New Zealand are considered low not ing that A. fulica can have significant localised 
impacts .   
 
E. Hitchhiker organisms  
The organisms belonging to this group do not have any biological host relationship with Island cabbage, but have an opportunistic association with the Island cabbage leav es 
pathway. The risk analysis identified several ant species  as hitchhikers on Island cabbage 
leaves.   These organisms are relatively small; however their rapid movement  contributes to 
their detectability . Ants  may find their  way into a consignment of Island cabbage leaves at 
any point along the import pathway.  The phytosanitary  risk from this group of organisms  
was assessed using the ant species  Solenopsis geminata as an example.  The likelihood of 
entry of this specie s is considered to be moderate, while  the likelihood of exposure is high 
and establishment is  considered to be low to moderate.  The economic and environmental 
consequences of establishment of this genus in New Zealand are moderate and high, respectively.  
 F. Fungal pathogens that are spread by wind or rain 
These organisms originate from the field and may  not always exhibit symptoms during 
harvest . They  can remain  on the leaves undetected at any point along  pathway until leaves 
begin to show symptoms of wilting and soft rot. The phytosanitary  risk from this group of 
organisms  is assessed using Choanephora cucurbitarum, Choanephora infundibulifera, 
Oidium abelmoschi and  Pseudocercospora abelmoschi as examples.  The likelihood of entry 
of C.  cucurbitarum  and C. infundibulifera is  considered to be  moderate while it’s low to 
moderate for O.  abelmoschi  and P.  abelmoschi . The likelihood of exposure is moderate. The 
likelihood of establishment is high for C. cucurbitarum , C. infundibulifera and O. abelmoschi 
while it’s low for P.  abelmoschi . The econom ic and environmental consequences of 
establishment of th ese organism s in New Zealand are low to moderate and very low, 
respectively.   
 G. Systematic pathogens that are spread by arthropod vectors.  
The IRA identified three undescribed viruses associated wit h Island cabbage leaves. One of 
these viruses is likely to be vectored non- persistently by aphid species, one is likely to be 
mechanically transmitted and the other is unknown. The risk analysis concluded that these viruses were not risks on I sland cabbage leaves that have been trimmed of any stem which 
also disable s any chance of propagation in New Zealand.  
      
Risk Management Proposal: Fresh Island cabbage  leaves from Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa,  Cook Islands and Kingdom of Tonga .  
 - Draft  - Page 9 of 26 Risk management  
Island cabbage may be grown in both;  non- commercial premises ( backyard s with surplus 
supplied to the packhouse  for exports ) and commercial farms in monocultures or 
intercropping .  
 
To effectively manage the known phytosanitary  risk(s) on the import pathway for fresh Island 
cabbage  leaves  from Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa, Cook Islands and Kingdom of Tonga , the use of a 
combination of phytosa nitary risk management measures including mandatory measures such 
as pre -export phytosanitary inspection is proposed.   
 
Summary of proposed risk management measures  
The phytosanitary measures proposed below are aligned with the current standards and the 
pre and post harvest practices in the exporting country, where this alignment is possible without compromising New Zealand’s biosecurity. 
 
• in-field pest  control  and sorting  during harvest ,  
 
AND  
 
• processing in registered packhouses  
washing of leaves with ch lorinated running water  and air  drying; sorting/grading ; 
cutting and trimming of the stem end of the petiole to exclude any part of the stem, 
flowers, seed pods or roots  and then packed in to new, clean  and labelled  vented 
export boxes  and securely stored (cooling  etc) to prevent re -infestation.  
 
AND  
 
• pre-export  phytosanitary inspection and certification . Following the satisfactory 
sampling  (600 units)  inspection and verification by quality controllers, officials of 
Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa,  Cook Islands and King dom of Tonga NPPO will also sample 
and visually inspect a 600 unit sample from every island cabbage consignment  (and 
packaging) for signs of pests and diseases prior to phytosanitary certification. Where a regulated (quarantine) pest is detected, appropria te pest mitigation (pre -export 
treatment) action agreed between the relevant NPPO s and MPI  will be conducted, or 
the leaves will not be exported to New Zealand. A supporting operational system to maintain and verify the phytosanitary status of consignments  will need to be in place 
in the exporting countries. 
Only Island cabbage produced in accordance with the import health standard (I HS) and 
certified with  a phytosanitary certificate may be imported  into New Zealand and MPI will 
verify this with inspection on arrival . 
The essential critical control points (CCPs) of the proposed phytosanitary measures acros s the 
pathway are described in the “Proposed Pathway Description” (Figure 1) and in the accompanying  “Summary of control points on the export pathway for t he proposed fresh 
island cabbage leaves pathway” (Appendix 1).  
 
 
    
Risk Management Proposal: Fresh Island cabbage  leaves from Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa,  Cook Islands and Kingdom of Tonga .  
 - Draft  - Page 10 of 26 Details of the proposed risk management measures  
 
In-field control measures and harvest  
 
In-field control measures  
The NPPOs and E xtension services in the exporting countries will provide i nformation about 
the requirements for export of island cabbage to farmers in their respective localities which 
will also include good agricultural and pest management practices su ch as proper site 
selection, drainage, cultivation methods , use of healthy pl anting material, recommended 
crops for intercropping  with island cabbage, in- crop pest management and field spraying at 
particular times for particular pests or pathogens and crop hygiene. The extent to which the 
targeted organisms are managed is dependent  on the combination of practises and the types 
of fungicides/pesticides used.   This is expected to limit the presence of mobile and sessile arthropods that are cryptic and/or  
small, fungal pathogens that are spread by wind or rain, arthropods that feed internally and arthropods that are obvious and/or large.  
 
Harvest, sorting  and transportation  to registered packhouses  
Island cabb age growers will harvest leaves individually to exclude any part of the stem, 
flowers, seed pods or roots and also undertake so rting  of leaves on the farm to remove leaves  
that display  symptoms of infestation, infection or damage  before transportation to the 
registered packhouses of those  leaves eligible only for export  under  conditions that would 
mitigate risks of contamination  
 
All infested, infected and damaged leaves are to be removed from the production sites and burnt or buried.  
 
Processing procedures  at the registered packhouses  
 Washing of Island cabbage leaves with chlorinated running water  
All Island cabbage  leaves recei ved at the registered packhouse s are individually washed 
gently and thoroughly under running chlorinated water outside the packing area of the packhouse to remove a ny contaminant including soil. Special care is taken during washing to 
ensure that all co ntaminants are washed off and appropriate material and methodologies  used 
to eliminate  contaminants that stick on both sides of the leaves and then dried by fan-
generated air movement.   
 The water should be clean and contain the appropriate concentration of s anitizers  (sodium 
hypochlorite constantly maintained not to exceed 200ppm). This will minimise the transmission of pathogens from water to leaves , from infected leaves  to healthy leaves  within 
a single batch and from one batch of leaves  to another batch ov er time (FAO 2006b).  
This is expected to limit the presence of mobile and sessile arthropods that are cryptic and/or small, arthropods that are obvious and/or large and hitchhiker organisms.  
         
Risk Management Proposal: Fresh Island cabbage  leaves from Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa,  Cook Islands and Kingdom of Tonga .  
 - Draft  - Page 11 of 26 Sorting, grading and trimming by packhouse staff  
The washed  and dried island cabbage leaves  must be inspected, sorted  and graded  in the 
packhouse by appropriately trained packhouse staff . Sorting and grading will verify that 
leaves displaying symptoms of insect infestation, infection or damage are removed and 
disposed and only the leaves eligible for export are selected and separated to prevent contamination.   
Graded Island cabbage leaves will be further processed by cutting off the stem end of the 
petiole that holds the leaves and trimmed to exclude any part of t he stem, flowers, seed pods 
or roots. 
This is expected to limit the presence of mobile and sessile arthropods that are cryptic and/or 
small, arthropods that are obvious and/or large and hitchhiker organisms and pathogens expressing symptoms.  
Quality controllers must  verify and ensure that all packhouse process ing procedures  have 
been  undertaken thoroughly and the leaves are only presented for NPPO inspection when 
they are satisfied through their 600 unit sampling inspection that New Zealand’s phytosanitary  requirements have been met .    
 Packing and storage  
To prevent the re -infestation of Island cabbage leaves from mobile arthropods that are cryptic 
and/or small, arthropods that are obvious and/or large and hitchhiker organisms , leaves that 
have undergone  grading and have been verified and passed by quality controllers should be 
packed immediately  into new, clean  and labelled vented export  boxes and stored in a cooler  
(or certified storage area)  to avoid - recontamination  while  awaiting NPPO pre -export 
phytos anitary inspection.  
While this will not achieve a level of mortality of pests as a standalone phytosanitary  
measure, it however contributes to the integrated system of risk management.   
 
Island cabbage leaves not eligible for export  
Island cabbage leaves showing signs of damage, infestation or contamination are not eligible for export to New Zealand.  All damaged or infested leaves and contamination should be  
removed and labelled for disposal during the process ing at the packhouse .  Separating export 
quali ty leaves from those that are rejected  is expected to limit the presence of all risk groups.
 
 
Tracking of leaves consignments  for export to New Zealand  
Island cabbage leaves from each grower will be clearly identified and be kept separated from 
leaves for domestic and other export markets. Packhouses will have procedures including proper recording systems to identify individual growers to enable trace -back in case of non -
compliance. Cartons will be properly marked and labelled to uniquely identify exporter , date 
of packing and etc. 
 
  
    
Risk Management Proposal: Fresh Island cabbage  leaves from Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa,  Cook Islands and Kingdom of Tonga .  
 - Draft  - Page 12 of 26 Visual inspection  
Visual inspection occurs at several points during the production and post -harvest processing 
of Island cabbage leaves.  These include:  
 In-field monitoring  of Island cabbage in commercial and non commercial f arms  
 Sorting during harvesting by growers  
 Sorting, grading and packing at registered packhouses by packhouse staff  
 Quality controller verification inspection at packhouses  
 Pre-export Phytosanitary inspection by NPPO  
 
All export consignments must be inspect ed for phytosanitary certification by appropriately 
trained packhouse staff  using appropriate optical enhancement (e.g. 10 x magnifications for 
small cryptic organisms ).   
Registered packhouse s taff must be trained to recognize the pests and diseases of is land 
cabbage that are of concern to New Zealand .  Visual inspection is expected to limit the 
presence of all risk groups.    
Pre-export phytosanitary inspection and certification by NPPO  
All consignments must be sampled and visually inspected for pests and diseases prior to issuing of a phytosanitary certificate by Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa, Cook Islands and Kingdom of Tonga  NPPO.  
 Where a regulated pest or disease is detected, appropriate mitigation action will be conducted (e.g. resorting, treatment), or the island cabbage  leaves will not be exported to 
New Zealand.  When no regulated pests or diseases are found and all requirements of the IHS have been met, a phytosanitary certificate will be issued  which should be in accordance with the 
International Standar ds for Phytosanitary measures (ISPM) 7 (FAO, 2006c) . 
 Inspection records will be maintained by NPPOs and be made available for inspection by MPI on request.  
 
Loading and transportation of island cabbage leaves  
All transportation used from the farm s to the point of export and also the air/sea containers 
used for shipping island cabbage to New Zealand should be inspected and cleaned if necessary prior to any loading of island cabbage to ensure that the conditions to mitigate risks of contamination are satisfa ctorily met.  
 To ensure post inspection security of exported consignments is maintained and re -infestation 
or contamination is prevented, the inspected and correctly packed leaves are to be loaded either onto an open deck truck then covered with a tarpauli n or into a cooler truck that can be 
securely closed . 
Once the leaves are securely loaded , they are  to be tra nsported directly to the air and/or 
seaport  cargo area and loaded into a secure air /sea container for export to New Zealand.   
 There should be a ppropriate preventative procedures implemented in those cases where fresh 
island cabbage will be loaded together (mixed loading)  in the same transport and/or shipping 
container with other fresh produce to avoid cross contamination of organisms . NPPOs should 
ensure that  only  the inspected and certified produce are permitted  to be mixed with island 
cabbage during transportation and shipping.  
    
Risk Management Proposal: Fresh Island cabbage  leaves from Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa,  Cook Islands and Kingdom of Tonga .  
 - Draft  - Page 13 of 26 Verification inspection on arrival in New Zealand  
MPI shall inspect a sample taken from each lot on arrival in New Zealan d to verify 
phytosanitary measures undertaken were effective. The sampling procedure will be in 
accordance with section 4.4 of MPI  standard 152- 02 - Importation and C learance of F resh 
Fruit and V egetables into New Zealand ( MPI 2012).  
If a treatment is dee med to have failed, or regulated pests, diseases, extraneous plant material 
or trash are intercepted, one or more of the following actions will be undertaken: re -sorting of 
the consignment, treatment where an efficacious treatment is available, re- shipment  or 
destruction of the consignment.  
Auditing - organism identification survey.   
MPI will monitor interceptions of regulated pests including hitchhikers and the  
appropriateness/effectiveness of phytosanitary measures on the commencement of trade. Pests  have their regulatory status classified on the MPI Biosecurity Organisms Register for 
Imported Commodities ( BORIC ) (http://www. mpi.govt.nz/biosecurity/pests -
diseases/registers -lists/boric/) .   
 
Summary of the Fresh Island cabbage leaves export pathway  
Propose d pathway description 
The Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa, Cook Islands and Kingdom of Tonga NPPO had provided MPI 
with information regarding commodity, production system and pests and diseases. The information, together with standard practices, was used to compile a  proposed pathway 
description illustrated in Figure 1 below.  
 
Figure 1.  Proposed pathway diagram  
  
Island cabbage grown in  
commercial farms and  
non-commercial premises  
(backyard) under  
Good Agricultural and  
Pest Management practices  
 Island cabbage leaves washed in 
chlorinated water, dried, sorted, 
graded and trimmed.    
Damaged, infested and infected  
leaves removed and destroyed.  
 
600 unit sample verification inspection undertaken by q uality 
controller and leaves eligible for 
export packed into vented export 
boxes.  
 
 
Pre-export phytosanitary  
inspection and issuance of  
phytosanitary certifi cate 
by NPPO  
 
Post inspection security.  
 
Transported to NZ  
by air or sea  (transport 
and air/sea containers 
cleaned before loading)  
  
 
Verification inspection at  
 NZ border  
  
 
IHS not met – treat,  
reship or destroy  
 
 
 
IHS met –  
Biosecurity clearance  
and distribution  6a 
6 5 1 
6b  
Packhouses to 
process island 
cabbage for export to 
New Zealand are 
registered by NPPO  
 2 
4 3    
Risk Management Proposal: Fresh Island cabbage  leaves from Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa,  Cook Islands and Kingdom of Tonga .  
 - Draft  - Page 14 of 26 Steps in proposed export pathway  
 
1. Island cabbage may be grown in both;  non- commercial premises ( backyard s with 
surplus supplied t o the packhouse  for exports ) and commercial farms in 
monocultures or intercropping . The NPPO and extension services in the countries 
will provide information about the g ood agricultural and pest m anagement practices 
and requirements for export to grower s. Harvested leaves will be sorted by growers 
and those eligible for export  will be transported to the registered packhouses under 
transportation conditions that would mitigate risks of contamination.  
2. Packhouses that will process island cabbage for New Zealand will have to be 
registered  by the exporting country NPPOs .  
3. Island cabbage leaves will be washed with chlorinated running water and appropriate 
materials and methods  used to remove contaminants including soil. Washed leaves 
will be dried by fan -generated air movement.   
4. The stem end of the petiole that holds the leaves are cut and trimmed at the packhouse  
to exclude any part of the stem, flowers, seed pods or roots  and then sorted (100%)  
and graded by trained packhouse staff  on sorting tables for defective leaves, pests, 
pathogens and extraneous material.  All damaged or infested leaves and extraneous contamination is removed and labelled for disposal.   
5. A packhouse quality controller carries out a 600 unit sample inspection on all Island 
cabbage  leaves gr aded by packhouse workers to verify and ensure that all New 
Zealand import requirements have been met. Leaves passed by the quality controller 
are packed into clean , new  and labelled vented export boxes  and stored in the cooler  
(or certified storage area)  to avoid re -contamination while awaiting inspection by the 
NPPO  inspector . 
6. Export consignment is inspected and a phytosanitary certificate is issued by Fiji, 
Vanuatu , Samoa,  Cook Islands and Kingdom of Tonga NPPO once inspection 
(visually using 10 x magnif ications), IHS requirements are all verified.  
7. Inspected and certified  Island cabbage  leaves are securely transported from the 
packhouse  to the airport/seaport facilities where the leaves are transferred to an air/sea 
container prior to export to New Zeala nd. All transportation and air/sea container s are 
to be  inspected and cleaned (if necessary)  before loading  to meet conditions that 
would mitigate risks of contamination.  
8. Export documents including phytosanitary certificate accompanies each Island 
cabbage  consignment that is either air or sea freighted to New Zealand.  
9. Island cabbage leaves and relevant export documents are examined in New Zealand 
including the verification inspection undertaken by MPI quarantine inspectors to 
ensure compliance with New Zealand’s phytosanitary requirements.  
10. Any consignment not complying with New Zealand’s phytosanitary requirements is treated, reshipped or destroyed, upon detection of regulated pests for which pre -export 
phytosanitary measures are required.   NPPOs  for Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa, Cook Islands 
and Kingdom of Tonga are notified of non- compliances  by MPI . 
11. Island cabbage leaves that receiv e biosecurity clearance are able to be distributed by 
the importer.  
 
    
Risk Management Proposal: Fresh Island cabbage  leaves from Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa,  Cook Islands and Kingdom of Tonga .  
 - Draft  - Page 15 of 26  
 
Proposed I mport Health Standards (IHS)  requirements : 
Based o n the evaluation of measures for the management of risk organism groups, the 
following specific conditions for fresh Island cabbage leaves (Commodity Sub- Class: Fresh 
Fruit/ Vegetables) from Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa, Cook Islands and Kingdom of Tonga  are 
proposed:  
 
NB: The following requirements are represented and expanded upon in the attached draft IHS.  
  PRE -SHIPMENT REQUIREMENTS  
Only fresh Island cabbage  leaves produced in accordance with the Import Health Standard 
(IHS)  and certified on a phytosanitary c ertificate may be imported  into New Zealand from 
Fiji, Samoa, Vanuatu, Cook Islands and the Kingdom of Tonga.  
 
TRANSIT REQUIREMENTS  
NPPOs for Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa, Cook Islands and Kingdom of Tonga  must ensure that the 
consignment (prior to export) is hel d in a manner to ensure that infestation or re -infestation 
do not occur following phytosanitary certification.  
 
PHYTOSANITARY CERTIFICATE :  
i) Required and issued by exporting country NPPOs when satisfied that the 
regulated organisms associated with Island c abbage have undergone the 
appropriate pest control activities and consignments  inspected according to 
appropriate official procedures and considered to be free from all regulated 
organisms  specified by New Zealand MPI   
  
 
Additional declarations to the phy tosanitary certificate  
 The Island cabbage leaves in this consignment have:  
 
 been inspected according to appropriate official procedures and are considered to be free from all regulated organisms  specified by New Zealand MPI .  
 NOTE: The generic phytosanitary certificate declaration contained on the 
phytosanitary certificate will be considered as equivalent to this declaration .  
 
    
Risk Management Proposal: Fresh Island cabbage  leaves from Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa,  Cook Islands and Kingdom of Tonga .  
 - Draft  - Page 16 of 26 References  
 
FAO (2009) Report on the application for market access of Island cabbage ( Abelmoschus 
manihot ) from Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa, Cook Islands and Tonga to New Zealand. 28 August, 
2009. 
 FAO -IPPC (2006a) International standards for phytosanitary measures. The use of integrated 
measures in a systems approach for pest risk management. Secretariat of the International Plant Protection Convention, Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, 
ISPM Publication No. 14, Rome. 
 
FAO -IPPC (2006b) International standards for ph ytosanitary measures. Guidelines for the 
determination and recognition of equivalence of phytosanitary measures. Secretariat of the 
International Plant Protection Convention, Food and Agricultural Organisation of the 
United Nations, ISPM Publication No. 24, Rome. 
 
MAF (2011) Import Risk Analysis: Fresh Island cabbage leaves ( Abelmoschus manihot ) from 
Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa, Cook Islands and Tonga. MPI New Zealand.  
 
MAF BNZ (2008) Policy for MPI ’s Responses to Risk Organisms – Appendix Five: 
Decisions Framewor k: Steps and Principles: 
http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/files/biosec/policy -laws/response -policy -risk-organisms.pdf   
 
MPI (2012) Standard152 -02: http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/files/ihs/152 -02.pdf   
 
Preston SR (1998) Aibika/Bele Abelmoschus manihot (L.) Medik. Promoting the 
conservation and use of underutilised and neglected crops. 24. I nstitute of Plant Genetics 
and Crop Plant Research, Gatersleben/International Plant Gentic Resource Institute, Rome, 
Italy.  
 WTO (1995) Sanitary and Phytosanitary Agreement, Full text. Online: 
www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/sps_e/spsagr_e.htm   
 
 
   
 
     
Risk Management Proposal: Fresh Island cabbage  leaves from Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa,  Cook Islands and Kingdom of Tonga .  
 - Draft  - Page 17 of 26 Appendix 1 :   Summary of control points on the export pathway for the proposed fresh island cabbage leaves 
pathway.   
This summary identifies points, steps or procedures where control can be a pplied to prevent or minimise biosecurity risk to an acceptable level. Critical control points that are 
required by M PI are mentioned in the last column.  
Pathway Step  Description of 
Measures Risk Group Targeted  Management 
Outcomes  Monitoring procedures  
(who, what, when, 
how)  Verification 
procedures  
i.e. objective evidence  
(who, what, other)  Related Documentation  
Standards/Agreements 
Production (1)  
 
Farm production ,  
in-field control 
measures  and harvest   
Good Agricultural 
Practices  
 
Pest management & 
monitoring strategies 
used for the control of 
pests  
 
 
 
 
  
Mobile & Sessile 
arthropods that are cryptic 
and/or small  
  
Arthropods that feed 
internally  
 
Arthropods that are obvious 
and/or large 
 Fungal pathogens  that are 
spread by wind and/or rain  
Low infestat ion/ 
infection of leaves  
 
Rejection of 
infested/infected 
leaves at the farm to 
avoid being transferred to the 
packhouse and 
contamination of 
export  graded leaves.   
Training of growers by 
NPPO, Extension and 
Research.  
 
Locality extension and 
research officers to visit 
and monitor farms  and 
advice growers on good 
agricultural and pest 
management practices .  
 
Scheduled internal 
audits by NPPO   
NPPO verification procedures e.g. grower 
training records. Island 
cabbage farm inspection 
and monitoring visit recor ds, spray diaries, 
good agricultural and 
pest management practices  
implementation,  
reject ions at the farms, 
internal audit reports.   
 Training modules  
 National Export Standard guideline (Commodity 
standard)  
 
Packhouse 
Registration  (2) 
 
Operation, Hygiene and 
Pest control  systems   
Good packhouse 
operation with required 
equipments ,  hygiene, 
chlorinated water  
system , pest 
surveillance and 
control  systems   
Hitchhiker organisms  
  
No infestation or re-
infestation of leaves 
can occur during 
processing in 
packhouse.  
 
Recommended & 
needed washing, 
cleaning systems and equipments are in 
place for processing 
of leaves.  
 
Hygiene and pest prevalence in 
packhouse properly 
maintained and 
monitored.   
Packhouse  has  
necessary equipments, screened windows and 
closed doors, 
chlorinated water  
system and  overhead 
lighting is used minimally after dusk  
 
Use of pest traps and 
recommended 
insecticides which will 
also be audited by 
NPPO.  
 
Packhouse  briefly  
inspected by NPPO  
inspectors  before any 
export produce 
inspection to ensure 
packhouse standard is 
sustained.  Detail 
inspection will be carried 
out during quarterly  
internal audits.  
  
NPPO verification 
procedures  
e.g. monitoring of  
packhouse pest trapping 
systems , pest 
equipment /supplies 
stockpile records, internal audit reports,  
packhouse license and 
registration approvals by 
NPPO.   
 Documented packhouse 
operational  procedures  
 NPPO Packhouse 
registration approval  
    
Risk Management Proposal: Fresh Island cabbage  leaves from Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa,  Cook Islands and Kingdom of Tonga .  
 - Draft  - Page 18 of 26 Packhouse 
Processing  (3) 
 
Washing,  drying,  
sorting and grading, 
trimming  & Visual 
Inspection  
 
  
Leaves  washed with 
chlorinated running 
water and fan dried 
 Leaves are 
sorted/graded to 
identify and remove 
defective (infested, infected, damaged) 
leaves, pests, 
pathogens and extraneous material (s)  
 
Leaves cut and 
trimmed to exclude any 
part of the stem, 
flowers, seed pods or  
roots  
 Infested/ infected/ 
damaged leaves and 
trimmed part of stem, flowers, seed pods and 
roots are removed from 
processing area  
  
All risk organisms   
Removal of all 
visually detectable/ 
symptomatic, 
infected/ infested leaf   Trained packhouse 
staffs remo ve any leaf 
showing signs of 
infestation, infection and 
damage , including 
trimmed parts of stem, flowers, seed pods  and 
roots . 
 
Rejected leaves clearly 
labelled for disposal.   
NPPO verification  
procedures e.g. Checks 
for segregation of non-
compliant leaf,  
inspection records , 
training records for packhouse staff . 
  
 Documented packhouse operational  procedures  
 National Export Standard guideline (Commodity 
standard)  
 Training modules  
  
Packhouse 
Processing  (3) 
 
Quality controller 
sampling inspection, 
packaging , labelling 
&proper storage.   
Quality Controller 600 
unit sample inspection  
(verification)  
 Packaging, packing & 
labelling 
 
Secured storage  
  
All risk organisms   
Leaf is free of 
detectable pests and 
pathogens, 
traceability 
information is correct 
from label ling  
 
No re -infestation of 
packaged leaves can 
occur  
 
  
Quality controller carry 
out 600 unit sample 
inspection for regulated 
pests and pathogens 
and record outcomes of 
inspection  
 
Packhouse staff only 
pack graded and 
visually inspected leaf 
into new, clean and 
vented export boxes   
 Leaves are rejected/ 
resorted/ treated if 
requirements are not 
met 
 
Graded and packed 
leaves stored in cooler  
or in certified storage 
area.  
  Boxes are free of debris ; 
Packhouse staffs pack  
graded leaves into 
export boxes, Qual ity 
controller inspection 
record , training records 
for packhouse workers 
and quality controller , 
certification for quality 
controllers.  
  
 Documented packhouse procedures  
 Certification for Quality controllers  
 ISPM s 
    
Risk Management Proposal: Fresh Island cabbage  leaves from Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa,  Cook Islands and Kingdom of Tonga .  
 - Draft  - Page 19 of 26 Phytosanitary 
Inspection   (4)  
A visual phytosanitary 
inspection (with 
magnification) at the 
appropriate 600 unit 
sample size verifies 
that the measures at 
the above critical 
control points have 
been effectively applied 
resulting in the 
absence of pests and 
pathogens on leaves   
All risk organism s 
  
Leaf is free of 
detectable pests and 
pathogens, 
traceability 
information on 
labelling is correct  
  
NPPO staff visually 
inspect leaf for 
regulated pests and 
pathogens prior to 
export to NZ  
 
Leaves are rejected/ 
resorted/ treated if 
requirements are not 
met 
  NPPO verify that all 
leaves have undergone 
above critical control 
point measures  
 
NPPO  verify that quality 
controller sampling was effectively undertaken 
and details recorded 
accordingly.  
 
NPPO inspection 
records  
 
  
 MPI IHS 
 ISPM s  
 NPPO phytosanitary  
certificate  
 
Transport to NZ (5)  
Transportation and empty air /sea container  
cleaned before loading 
of produce to ensure that its pest free and 
not contaminated.  
 
Export leaves  
[+ accompanying documentation] is air or 
sea freighted to New 
Zealand in sealed 
containers   
Hitchhiker organisms   
No re -infestation or 
substitution of product   
NPPO inspector to 
supervise and ensure 
exporter complies with 
post harvest procedures.    
Containers are pest free 
before loading.  
 Actual number s of 
cartons match the 
quant ity detailed on 
phytosanitary certificate.  
   
 NPPO phytosanitary certificate  
 ISPMs  
 Export compliance programme/ workplan 
Verification Inspection  (6)  Documentation and 
leaves are inspected 
before being cleared, 
treated, reshipped or 
destroyed  
NB: This i s a 
verification step only, 
NOT a measure   
All risk organisms   
No substitution has 
occurred and 
phytosanitary 
certificate reconciles 
with consignment   
Documentation checked 
to ensure IHS and 
export compliance/ work 
plan requirements have 
been met   
A MPI quarantine 
inspector checks 
accompanying export 
documentation ( e.g. 
phytosanitary certificate) 
and inspects sample of 
leaves for presence of 
regulated pests and diseases  
  
 MPI Border Clearance 
Procedures  
 MPI IHS  
Distribution ( 6b) Cleared product available for distribution throughout NZ  
NB: NOT a measure     
Risk Management Proposal: Fresh Island cabbage  leaves from Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa,  Cook Islands and Kingdom of Tonga .  
 - Draft  - Page 20 of 26 Appendix 2 : Risk organisms  
Explanatory Note  
The list below has been generated from the different information sources described in the paragraph Sources of  Information considered for the Risk 
Management Pr oposal . 
Exclusions from the list include:  
1. All non- regulated organisms/present in New Zealand. 
2. Organisms identified at genus level only, as a genus may contain species that are not  a risk on the commodity.  
3. Organisms where insufficient evidence exists that t hey are present in Fiji, Samoa, Vanuatu, Cook Islands and Kingdom of Tonga.  
4. Organisms that are associated with Island cabbage plants but not associated with the Island cabbage fresh leaves  pathway  
5. Organisms that are associated with Island cabbage leaves bu t that cannot establish in New Zealand via the Island cabbage fresh produce 
pathway  
 
 Note that the organisms not included on the below list and not previously assessed and found to be non- regulated remain ‘regulated organisms’ that warrant action 
upon int erception  
Organism/Authority  Taxonomy  Present in NZ  Association with 
Island cabbage leaves 
or commercial 
production pathway  On List  
Y = Yes  
N = No  Measures to 
prevent entry & 
establishment  
Mobile arthropods that are 
cryptic and/or small.       
Aphis fabae  Scopoli  Hemiptera: Aphidinae  N 
(Teulon et al 
2004; 
Macfarlane et 
al 2010;PPIN 
2011)  Y 
(Englberger and Foliaki 
1992)  Y 
 
(Tonga)  • In-field control 
measures,  
• Packhouse 
washing, drying, 
sorting and 
grading, Quality 
controller 
inspection,  
• Exporting 
countries N PPO 
phytosanitary 
inspections , post 
inspection 
security.  
    
Risk Management Proposal: Fresh Island cabbage  leaves from Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa,  Cook Islands and Kingdom of Tonga .  
 - Draft  - Page 21 of 26 Haritalodes derogate  Fabricius  Lepidoptera: Pyralidae  N 
(Dugdale 1988; 
Macfarlane et 
al 2010; PPIN 
2010)  Y 
(Preston 1998)  Y 
 
(Fiji, 
Samoa)  • In-field control 
measures,  
• Packhouse 
washing, drying, 
sorting and 
grading, Quality 
controller 
inspection,  
• Exporting 
countries NPPO 
phytosanitary 
inspections, post 
inspection 
security.  
Sessile arthropods that are 
cryptic and/or small       
Aleurodicus dispersus Russell  Homoptera: Aleyrodidae  N 
(Macfarlane et 
al 2010; PPIN 
2011)  Y 
(Preston 1998; Botha et 
al. 2000; Lambkin 2006)  Y 
 
(Cook 
Islands, 
Fiji, 
Samoa, 
Tonga)  • In-field control 
measures,  
• Packhouse 
washing, drying, 
sorting and 
grading, 
trimming, Quality 
controller 
inspection,  
• Exporting 
countries NPPO 
phytosani tary 
inspections, post 
inspection 
security.  
Maconellicoccus hirsutus Green  Homoptera: Pseudococcidae  N 
(Cox 1987; 
Ben-Dov 1994; 
Macfarlane et 
al.2010, PPIN 
2011)  Y 
(Williams and Watson 
1988)  Y 
 
(Tonga, 
Samoa, 
Vanuatu)  • In-field control 
measures,  
• Packhouse 
washing, drying, 
sorting and 
grading, 
trimming, Quality 
controller    
Risk Management Proposal: Fresh Island cabbage  leaves from Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa,  Cook Islands and Kingdom of Tonga .  
 - Draft  - Page 22 of 26 inspection,  
• Exporting 
countries NPPO 
phytosanitary 
inspections, post 
inspection 
security.  
Pseudaulacaspis pentagona 
Targioni  Homoptera: Diaspididae  N 
(Charles and 
Henderson 
2002; 
Macfarlane et 
al. 2010; 
ScaleNet 2010; 
PPIN 2010)  Y 
(Williams and Watson 
1988; Preston 1998)  Y 
 
 
(Fiji, 
Tonga, 
Vanuatu, 
Samoa)  • In-field control 
measures,  
• Packhouse 
washing, drying, 
sorting and 
grading, 
trimming, Quality 
controller 
inspection,  
• Exporting 
countries NPPO 
phytosanitary 
inspections, post 
inspection 
security . 
Arthropods that feed internally       
Aphelenchoides besseyi Christie  Secernentea: Tylenchida: Aphelenchoididae  N 
(Knight et al 
1997; Yeates 
2010; PPIN 
2011)  Y 
(Orton Williams 1980; 
PPPIS 1996)  Y 
 
(Fiji, 
Cook 
Islands, 
Tonga)  • In-field control 
measures,  
• Packhouse 
washing, drying, 
sorting and 
grading, Quality 
controller 
inspection,  
• Exporting 
countries NPPO 
phytosanitary 
inspections, post 
inspection 
security.  
Earias vitella Fabricius  Nolidae, Eariadin ae N 
(Dugdale 1988; Y 
(Preston 1998; Kamath Y 
 • In-field control 
measures,     
Risk Management Proposal: Fresh Island cabbage  leaves from Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa,  Cook Islands and Kingdom of Tonga .  
 - Draft  - Page 23 of 26 Macfarlane et 
al 2010; PPIN 
2011)  1979)  (Tonga, 
Fiji, Cook 
Islands, 
Samoa, 
Vanuatu)  • Packhouse 
washing, drying, 
sorting and 
grading, Quality 
controller 
inspection,  
• Exporting 
countries NPPO 
phytosanitary 
inspections, post 
inspection 
security.  
Arthropods that are obvious 
and/or large       
Adoretus versutus Harold  Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae  N 
(Leschen et al 
2003; 
Macfarlane et 
al 2010, PPIN 
2011)  Y 
(Stout 1982; Watt 1986)  Y 
 
(Cook 
Islands, 
Fiji, 
Tonga, 
Vanuatu, 
Samoa)  • In-field control 
measures,  
• Packhouse 
washing, drying, 
sorting and 
grading, Quality 
controller 
inspection,  
• Exporting 
countries NPPO 
phytosanitary 
inspections, post 
inspection 
security.  
Achatina fulica Bowdich  Gastropoda: Ac hatinidae  N 
(Barker 1999; 
PPIN 2010)  Y 
(Thakur 2004)  Y 
 
(Vanuatu, 
Samoa, 
Tonga)  • In-field control 
measures,  
• Packhouse 
washing, drying, 
sorting and 
grading, Quality 
controller 
inspection,  
• Exporting 
countries NPPO 
phytosanitary    
Risk Management Proposal: Fresh Island cabbage  leaves from Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa,  Cook Islands and Kingdom of Tonga .  
 - Draft  - Page 24 of 26 inspections, post 
inspection 
security.  
Amblypelta cocophaga 
cocophaga China  Hemiptera:Coreidae  N 
(Lariviera & 
Larochelle 
2004; Gordon 
2010; PPIN 
2011)  Y 
(FPI 2010)  Y 
 
(Fiji, 
Vanuatu)  • In-field control 
measures,  
• Packhouse 
washing, drying, 
sorting and 
grading, 
trimming, Quality 
controll er 
inspection,  
• Exporting 
countries NPPO 
phytosanitary 
inspections, post 
inspection 
security.  
Hitchhiker organisms       
Solenopsis geminata Fabricius  Hymenoptera: Formicidae  N 
(Don 2007; 
Macfarlane 
2010)  Y 
(CPC 2011)  Y 
 
(Cook 
Islands, 
Fiji, 
Tonga)  • Packhouse 
washing, drying, 
sorting and 
grading, Quality 
controller 
inspection,  
Exporting countries 
NPPO phytosanitary 
inspections, post 
inspection security.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
Risk Management Proposal: Fresh Island cabbage  leaves from Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa,  Cook Islands and Kingdom of Tonga .  
 - Draft  - Page 25 of 26  
 
 
 
Fungal pathogens that are 
spread by wind and/or rain.       
Choanephora cucurbitarum (Berk.  
& Ravenel ) & C. infundibulifera 
(Currey ) Zygomycota: Zygomycetes: Mucorales: 
Choanephoraceae  
 
N 
(NZFungi 
database; PPIN 
2011)  Y (Pett 1995 
unpublished; Preston 
1998)  Y 
 
(Cook 
Islands, 
Fiji, 
Tonga, 
Vanuatu, 
Samoa)  • In-field control 
measures,  
• Packhouse 
washing, drying, 
sorting and 
grading, 
trimming, Quality 
controller 
inspection,  
• Exporting 
countries NPPO 
phytosanitary 
inspections, post 
inspection 
security.  
Oidium abelmoschi  Thum  Ascomycota:Leotiomycetes:Erysiphales:  
Erysiphaceae  N 
(Landcare 
NZFungi 2010; 
PPIN 2010)  Y 
(Preston 1998)  Y 
 
(Fiji) • In-field control l 
measures,  
• Packhouse 
washing, drying, 
sorting and 
grading, 
trimming, and 
Quality controller 
inspection,  
• Exporting 
countries NPPO 
phytosanitary 
inspections, post 
inspection 
security.  
 
 
    
Risk Management Proposal: Fresh Island cabbage  leaves from Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa,  Cook Islands and Kingdom of Tonga .  
 - Draft  - Page 26 of 26  
 
 
 
Pseudocerco spora abelmoschi 
(Ellis & Everhart( Deighton)  Ascomycota:Dothideomycetes:Capnodiales:  
Mycosphaerellaceae  N 
(PPIN 2011; 
Preston 1998)  Y 
(NZFungi 2011; Preston 
1998)  Y 
 
(Fiji, 
Samoa, 
Tonga, 
Vanuatu)  • In-field control 
measures,  
• Packhouse 
washing, drying, 
sorting and 
grading, 
trimming, and 
Quality controller 
inspection,  
• Exporting 
countries NPPO 
phytosanitary 
inspections, post 
inspection 
security.