16 Jul 2013

Grower meetings discuss new PSA plan

8:52 am on 16 July 2013

Meetings being held around the country for kiwifruit growers to discuss the new PSA management plan are wrapping up this week.

The National PSA-V Pest Management Plan for controlling the vine-killing disease took effect on 17 May and is expected to be fully implemented by 1 August.

The growers' meetings are to help them understand their responsibilities under the plan.

The chief executive of Kiwifruit Vine Health, Barry O'Neil, says this is particularly important for abandoned and unmanaged orchards, the monitoring of orchards and the need for a management plan for each one.

He says the overall plan also includes rules over the movement of vines to stop the spread of PSA.

Meetings will be held in Auckland, Waikato and the Bay of Plenty this week.