A New Zealand industry-government forum has concluded it cannot contain the most virulent strain of PSA in the Te Puke, Bay of Plenty zone, reported Businessday.co.nz.

Kiwifruit Vine Health (KVH) general manager John Burke told the website 54 hectares of vines with the severe PSA V strain have been removed, but the original NZ$20 million (US$14.75 million) plan to cut 200 hectares has been scaled back.

The website reported the government's focus would now shift to gold kiwifruit, while NZ$10.2 million (US$7.5 million) has so far been committed to PSA-affected growers.

Meanwhile Te Puke growers Rob Bayly and Russell Baker have slammed the vine culling practice saying the science behind the strategy is 'seriously flawed'.

"Orchards are being needlessly being destroyed putting some affected growers under enormous financial and mental stress," they were quoted as saying.

Photo: Photo: European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization

Source: www.freshfruitportal.com