New Zealand's largest kiwifruit grower says it will join the class action suit for damages against the Ministry for Primary Industries.
A group of kiwifruit growers is suing the ministry for negligence over the PSA outbreak, which was first spotted in Bay of Plenty orchards in 2010, and is estimated to have cost the industry close to $900 million.
Chief executive of the NZX-listed Seeka Kiwifruit Industries Michael Franks said his company is joining the action because the courts are the best place to resolve the matter and deal with the considerable losses incurred.
He said Seeka's losses are ongoing and have been conservatively estimated at $45 million, though are probably closer to $70 million.
