Psa strategy to focus on 'aggressive containment'

Kiwifruit vines. Photo / Steven McNicholl

Biosecurity Minister David Carter says hopes of eradicating the devastating kiwifruit-vine disease Psa are fading.

He has announced a programme of "aggressive containment" as a short- term response to the outbreak of the fast-spreading bacterial infection.

"Eradication of Psa versus containment or management is a fast-changing situation, but both MAF and industry agree aggressive containment is the best option for now," he says.

"The Government is fully committed to working with industry on this issue and all necessary resources are being made available to fight the disease."

13 orchards confirmed with Psa
16 orchards quarantined

Thirteen orchards, about 500 hectares, are now confirmed with Psa infection - up from 11 orchards earlier today.

Sixteen orchards have been quarantined.

Psa symptoms worsen

Zespri executives have today been talking to major banks about financial support for growers hit with Psa.

Growers say they want to see Government financial assistance to help the industry cope with the crisis.

The disease is now causing dieback in some vines - an increase in severity from the leaf spotting originally discovered.

Red ooze has been detected on the vines, indicating the disease has spread.

Psa fight will be costly

Mr Carter says MAF and the kiwifruit industry are already working together to remove infected plant material, spraying infected vines and controlling the spread of the disease.

The response to Psa is likely to require a significant financial commitment from both the Government and the kiwifruit industry, he says.

"It is not possible to put any figure on this at this stage, but significant resources and considerable support are already being put into the battle against Psa."

Comprehensive plan needed

Zespri Director of Corporate and Grower Services Carol Ward said a comprehensive plan was needed to stop the disease progressing.

"The symptoms shown in the weekend show there is a real need for urgency. We've got people's lives at risk here," Ms Ward said.

But she argued more information was needed before a management plan could be formalised.

Evidence from historical vine samples dating back to 1980 have shown no evidence of Psa.

Investigations are ongoing into how long the disease has been in New Zealand, how far it has spread and what is the best way to contain it, she said.

"This bacteria can stay latent. It can flare up. We don't know enough about how it responds to the environmental conditions in New Zealand."

Industry needs to partner with Government on containing the spread of the disease, she said.

Nightmare scenario

Kiwifruit grower Russell West's orchard was one of the first that tested positive for the disease.

He said the discovery of the disease was potentially devastating for his business.

"It was really a bit of terror at first. We've seen spotting like that but we've never seen it go to dieback," Mr West said.

"Our cash flow that we are operating on at the moment is from last year's crops but next year there are some nightmare scenarios.

"I don't think I will be welcome on any of the neighbour's orchards any more."

MAF was right to wait until all the information was available before making a move to manage the disease, he said.

"You can't make a good decision unless you've got good facts and good information.

"There's general anxiety about how bad it's going to be. There's a perception that we don't want to be like Italy.

"The way we react to it and manage it will be a way bigger factor than the strain."

Psa has been in Italy since 1992.

A flare up in recent years has been devastating for the Italy's kiwifruit industry.

None of the other countries battling the infection - Japan, Korea, Italy and Iran - have been able to eradicate it.

Kiwifruit sector leaders discussed the situation last night at the industry advisory council.

More grower meetings will be held later this week.