17 Aug 2011

Final judgement pending in Zespri case

5:56 am on 17 August 2011

Details of a High Court judgement which relates to a case by Turners & Growers against Zespri, will be embargoed until a judge decides otherwise.

In May a judge considered claims by Turners & Growers under the Commerce Act.

It contends Zespribreached the Act by tying producers into exclusive contracts, trying to control kiwifruit exports to Australia in the 2008-2009 year, and trying to control new varieties.

Zespri says the High Court in Auckland has rejected the claims, but the judge asked both parties to make submissions on what aspects of the interim judgement are commercially sensitive, before releasing a final judgement.

Submissions had to be filed by Wednesday morning.

Zespri hopes the final judgement will be made available by the end of the week.