The majority of kiwifruit orchardists are on track to complete their Psa-V orchard management plans by August 1.

Kiwifruit Vine Health CEO Barry O'Neil says there was some initial negative reaction to the requirement to have a plan, but following a round of grower meetings most orchardists have accepted the need for the plans as part of a wider strategy to manage the vine disease.

The plans are among the provisions of the National Psa-V Pest Management Plan approved by the Government in May, which sets out rules governing disease management, monitoring, movement and the development of plans.

KVH is the agency responsible for implementing the plan, which includes provision to take action over abandoned or unmanaged orchards.

Barry says growers, who have a plan are better at managing the disease because they know what needs to be done and when, and others coming onto their orchard to carry out work, also know what is required.

While there are some mandatory components to the plan which must be met, growers, including those growing organically, can use practices which suit their orchards and personal preferences.

The plans are unlikely to be audited unless concerns are raised about an orchard's potential risk of spreading the disease to other orchards.

Meanwhile there are two new Psa-V identifications this week, both in Katikati.

That's down from last week's 47 new cases reported; one in Waihi; 20 in Katikati; six in Tauranga West; one in Whakatane; and 19 in Opotiki.

While an increase in reported cases was expected following the disease being largely dormant through summer, KVH says last's week's significant increase in positive results was a result of KVH continuing to follow up with postharvest suppliers on the current status of orchards recorded with a ‘not detected' status.

The disease may have been present on those orchards for some time but had not been officially recorded.