24 Aug 2012

Waikato kiwifruit growers to fight PSA together

7:00 am on 24 August 2012

Waikato kiwifruit growers have unanimously agreed to work collectively to prevent the spread of the vine-killing disease PSA.

On Tuesday, Kiwifruit Vine Health (KVH) confirmed the virulent form of the disease had been found for the first time in the region, in a six-hectare organic block north of Te Awamutu.

On Wednesday it got a second positive test for PSA-V in a neighbouring kiwifruit orchard.

About 100 growers, contractors and representatives from Zespri and KVH met in Cambridge on Wednesday to discuss strategies to contain the disease.

KVH chief executive Barry O'Neil says growers got the latest update, best practice advice and the science behind what KVH is recommending.

Mr O'Neil says all growers saw the benefits of the recommendations being put forward and will be carrying out careful monitoring, using good hygiene practice and crop protectants.

He says KVH made the point that growers have to work collectively if they want to overcome the impact of PSA.