New Zealand and Australian pipfruit growers say they will invest $11.5 million in new apple and pear cultivars over the next five years through their joint venture company, Prevar Ltd.Prevar was formed in 2004 to commercialise trees bred by Hortresearch,
New Zealand and Australian pipfruit growers say they will invest $11.5 million in new apple and pear cultivars over the next five years through their joint venture company, Prevar Ltd.
Prevar was formed in 2004 to commercialise trees bred by Hortresearch, which is now part of the big state science company Plant and Food Research.
Prevar chief executive Brett Ennis said the re-investment and skills and expertise of the partners would allow the company to build on the lessons it had learned.
Plant and Food Research chief executive Peter Landon-Lane said Prevar had great potential to deliver new, exciting cultivars for premium export markets.
Part of its work was underpinned by New Zealand taxpayers through science funding.
"There is little doubt that the success of the programme is attributable to the investment that New Zealand Foundation for Research Science and Technology (the Government's funding agency) have made," Dr Ennis said.
Apple and Pear Australia Ltd (APAL) general manager Tony Russell said Prevar had made good progress in developing world class apples and pears.
The Australian investment was funded by apple and pear levies as well as voluntary contributions, and the Australian Government provided matched funding for all Horticulture Australia's research spend.
