The Psa kiwifruit disease has been found in a new area of the Bay of Plenty as confirmed cases continue to rise rapidly.
The latest figures from Kiwifruit Vine Health, the agency set up to respond to the disease, show the virulent form of Psa has now been confirmed on more than 430 orchards spread through the region.
There have been a further 43 new cases this week.
It has been found for the first time in the western Opotiki area, forcing KVH to establish a new priority zone imposing movement and monitoring controls on orchards in that area.
While Psa has to date shown up mainly on gold kiwifruit vines, most of the new cases are in orchards growing green kiwifruit.
There are now six priority zones for Psa extending from Waihi in western Bay of Plenty to Whakatane and Opotiki in the east.
