An emergency meeting for kiwifruit growers is being held in Cambridge today after the vine killing disease Psa-V was discovered in two Waikato orchards.

News that the disease has arrived in the Waikato is a blow to growers who had hoped they may remain free of the infection, which as severely impacted Hort16A gold kiwifruit orchards in Te Puke where it was first identified two years ago.

A 12km controlled area has been set up after Psa-V was discovered on two kiwifruit orchards in Te Awamutu.

In response to the Waikato outbreak, KVH has established a ‘controlled area' within a 12kilometre radius of the infected orchard and contacted the 26 growers within the controlled area to advise them of the situation.

Growers in this area are being advised the following:

-Monitor orchards extensively and report any suspicious Psa-V symptoms to KVH on 0800 665 825.

-Implement and maintain a protective spray programme.

-Maintain strict orchard hygiene procedures.

-No kiwifruit plant material, including budwood and nursery stock, along with any potentially contaminated orchard equipment, can be moved out of this area.

KVH Chief Executive Barry O'Neil says news of the spread of Psa-V into the Waikato region reinforced that all regions and all varieties are at risk of a Psa-V incursion and growers must do all they can to protect their orchards.

'The find is obviously very concerning to growers in the Waikato region. We are committed to working with them to contain the spread of the disease and give growers the best advice to protect their orchards.

'This latest incursion highlights the importance of vigilant orchard hygiene and a crop protection programme for all growers. Without on-going protection, growers run the risk of allowing Psa-V to enter their orchards. Growers must not be complacent about the risk of Psa-V,” he says.

KVH representatives are currently in the controlled area to work with growers and conduct extensive monitoring of orchards.

An incursion trace-back investigation will also be carried out to understand how the infection arrived in the Waikato. A plan for the region will be developed in consultation with local growers and industry, taking into account the trace-back and monitoring information.

For more information about best-practice orchard management protocols, see the grower sections on the KVH website www.kvh.org.nz. A map of the area is available for growers on the KVH website at www.kvh.org.nz/maps

The meeting is at 4pm.