Restricted Place Notices (RPNs) placed on quarantined kiwi orchards affected by the vine disease PSA have been lifted by the country’s agriculture and forestry ministry as the industry starts to manage the disease.

The lifting of the RPNs on more than 100 orchards has been replaced by guidelines outlining growers obligations to minimize the spread of the disease, which was first detected in the beginning of November, according to a document from Kiwifruit Vine Health Inc., the organization charged with managing the spread of PSA.

The announcement is a sign that growers and government officials have acknowledged that PSA is a reality in New Zealand.

“Lifting the RPNs demonstrates our confidence in growers to work with us to control the spread of PSA and redefine best practice orchard management practices for the future,” Peter McBride, chairman of Kiwifruit Vine Health, said in the statement.

As of Friday, Dec. 3, 103 orchards had tested positive for PSA.

Photo: Zespri

Source. www.freshfruitportal.com