Recently, close to three kiwifruit orchards are confirmed to have the vine-killing disease PSA in the Te Puke area. In fact, two more are currently under the quarantine and it is largely expected that they will also be suffering from this disease as well.

According to the Biosecurity Minister David Carter, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) will soon begin a copper spray program which will try and reduce the spread of bacteria in the orchards. It is to be mentioned here that close to 75 orchards are carrying the possible symptoms for this disease and nearly 20 of them are being investigated by the MAF.

Carter further said in a media statement that the discovery of PSA is now treated very seriously and close to an additional 20 MAF contractors and 20 Zespri staff will be assisting soon in the investigation process.

However, the minister clearly said that it is still very early to say that if an eradication program will be put in place to tackle the spread of the bacteria but growers have accepted that there is a need to gather more information so that they can make the correct decisions.