After attending a 3 day Environmental Protection Authority seminar in Wellington this is what I now know about the copper based sprays being applied to kiwifruit orchards every 4 weeks to combat the PSa virus.

The studies were undertaken by Cornell University College of Agriculture and Sciences. Copper Sulphate does not degrade in soil and there are serious concerns about the cumulative effect on soil and waterways. Copper accumulation is practically irreversible. They have been banned completely in many countries. Copper sulphate is highly toxic to fish even at recommended rates of application.

Vineyard sprayers experienced liver disease after 3 years of exposure to copper sulphate solution in Bordeaux. Residual copper is an essential trace element that is strongly bio-accumulated. It is stored primarily in the liver, brain, heart, kidney, and muscles.

It is readily absorbed through the skin and can produce a burning pain, as well as the other symptoms of poisoning resulting from ingestion. Skin contact may result in itching or eczema.

In summary what is the cost of this PSa copper based spray campaign? We know what it will cost the Kiwifruit industry if they don't spray, we have heard that argument all before with HiCane. But what is it costing the whenua and those who have to live on it for the next thousand years?

The most sobering of these science- based statistics is we are leaving this legacy of pointless poisoning for tomorrow's tamariki and for Maori that is not tikanga or kaitiakitanga.
So why do it?

T.Kapai, Te Puna.