An aggressive containment strategy for Psa in New Zealand is to be implemented and the Kiwifruit Vine Health board of directors are working hard for the same.

The strategy comprises of including negotiation of funding agreements and making financial assistance payments to growers. Besides, it also wants to develop and implement a long term pest management and monitoring plan for Psa.

The Board of Directors of the Kiwifruit Vine Health are said to have been appointed by the members of the IAC and includes representatives from all key industry groups including Zespri, New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated, post harvest suppliers and Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Biosecurity.

At the time of crisis some restricted place notices had been issued to orchards affected by the disease, however they are being removed now. The replacement of these issues is now taking place and they are being swapped by the general permissions documents which outline grower obligations under the New Zealand Biosecurity Act.

Chairman of Kiwifruit Vine Health (KVH), Peter McBride said, "This action will allow greater flexibility for the movement of equipment and personnel between orchards, including PSA-affected orchards".