AGROUP of kiwifruit post-harvest operators claiming to represent 75 per cent of the post-harvest sector yesterday sent an open letter to Prime Minister John Key stating they did not support a claim that will be lodged against the Government for damages caused by the Psa infestation.
The kiwifruit class action has been brought by a group of growers who believe they have the basis for a legal claim against BiosecurityNZ for negligence over Psa, which caused major losses to growers.
"Collectively, along with Zespri and New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Inc, we do not support 'The Kiwifruit Claim' and urge all growers to think carefully about the long-term impact on their business and their industry when making their choice on whether or not to join the claim," said the signatories, which included EastPack Ltd, Maori Growers Forum, OPAC, DMS Progrowers Trevelyan's, Mainland Kiwi and Apata Group.
Core reasons cited by the group included:
• The kiwifruit industry's close working relationship with successive governments, which they said could be put at risk by the claim