Update on Psa situation in NZ Kiwifruit Orchards - 7/12/10

MEDIA UPDATE
Tuesday 7 December 2010
Issued 3:00 pm

Update on Psa situation in New Zealand Kiwifruit Orchards

Formation of Kiwifruit Vine Health Incorporated

Kiwifruit Vine Health Inc. (KVH) was established following agreement of the Industry Advisory Council (IAC) for a separate, independent pan-industry organisation to lead the Psa response moving forward.

KVH was registered as an incorporated society on 6 December 2010. It will operate as a non-profit-organisation to:

• implement the aggressive containment strategy for Psa in New Zealand, including negotiation of funding agreements and making financial assistance payments to growers;and
• develop and implement a long term pest management and monitoring plan for Psa

The KVH Board of Directors was appointed by the members of the IAC and includes representatives from all key industry groups including ZESPRI, New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Inc. (NZKGI), Post Harvest suppliers and MAF Biosecurity NZ.

Mr Peter McBride is the Chair of the KVH Inc. Board of Directors. Discussions are currently underway with CEO nominees and an appointment is expected shortly

A Transition Project Team is currently managing the transition to KVH and during this period, information from KVH Inc. will be distributed to the industry via ZESPRI’s existing grower communications channels and packhouse technical and grower service representatives.

Restricted Place Notices (RPNs) lifted

As of Thursday 2 December 2010, Restricted Place Notices (RPNs) issued by MAF to Psa-affected kiwifruit orchards across New Zealand have been lifted and replaced with a General Permissions document. The General Permissions document outlines the growers obligations under the New Zealand Biosecurity Act to minimise the spread of Psa.

By relaxing the restrictions that were in place on the movement of plant material, equipment and personnel between orchards, growers are able to transition to full orchard operations and allow contractors and other workers access to their properties.

The presence of Psa and it’s potential to spread is still a serious concern to the industry. New orchard hygiene guidelines for ALL orchards have been put into place and communicated to growers and industry members.

Updated orchard hygiene measures apply to all orchards

The presence of Psa in New Zealand requires each and every kiwifruit grower to change normal orchard hygiene practices and be aware of the risks associated with the movement of plant material, equipment and personnel on and off orchards. All growers are asked to review their current orchard activities and adopt more stringent hygiene procedures in order to prevent the spread of Psa from vine to vine or between orchards.

Call for continued vigilance and regular orchard monitoring

The absence of obvious symptoms may not necessarily mean the absence of Psa, so all growers are encouraged to remain vigilant and continue with regular orchard monitoring. The notification of suspected Psa symptoms should continue via the ZESPRI Grower Contact Centre on 0800 155 355 or via email using contactcanopy@zespri.com.

Psa statistics update

• Approximately 50% of New Zealand’s kiwifruit growers have actively monitored their orchard and advised ZESPRI of the status of their orchard (presence of absence of suspected Psa symptoms).
• To date, 107 orchards have tested positive for Psa.
• The majority of Psa affected orchards (approx 75%) are within a 23 km area south of Te Puke township.
• Psa affected orchards have also been identified in Hawke’s Bay, Tauranga, Whakatane / Edgecumbe, Waikato, Golden Bay, Motueka, and Gisborne.
• Test results over the weekend confirmed Psa positive findings in both Katikati and Horowhenua.
• Of the Psa affected orchards, those orchards that grow only GREEN account for 44 of the 107 that have been tested positive.
• The majority of Psa symptoms identified are considered primary symptoms – leaf spotting.
• Up to 30 orchards demonstrating primary symptoms have removed infected vines.
• Three of the orchards with advanced Psa symptoms have cut significant canopy area and removed infected materials.
• Case managers are working closely with Psa affected growers with orchards that demonstrate secondary symptoms to coordinate a comprehensive orchard assessment and to define, agree and act upon a Psa management strategy.

ENDS

© Scoop Media