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Council staff not visiting kiwifruit orchards

For immediate release: 11 November 2010
Bay of Plenty Regional Council has proactively stopped staff from visiting kiwifruit orchards in the Bay while the outbreak of the bacterial kiwifruit vine disease PSA is being investigated.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council Chief Executive Bill Bayfield told staff yesterday that given the seriousness of the issue and the possible effects the disease outbreak could have on the industry and the region, he did not want staff visiting kiwifruit orchards or adjoining properties for work purposes unless absolutely necessary. Consents officers and other staff regularly visit kiwifruit orchards.

“This issue is continuing to escalate. Urgent testing is underway to identify the strain of the disease and possible resolutions.”

Mr Bayfield said that while the advice to our staff could be disruptive for the Council’s work programmes, it was important to be pro-active in helping and supporting the industry.

“I think it is essential that we are pro-active on this issue and supportive of kiwifruit growers, their industry and the lead agency, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry’s Biosecurity, as they work through this situation,” Mr Bayfield said.

“The Council wants to avoid staff becoming carriers of the disease or worsening the situation in any way.”

The Regional Council is keeping in close contact with, and assisting both, the industry and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry New Zealand during the ongoing investigation.

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