The removal, or return to management, of abandoned kiwifruit orchards in the Opotiki and Te Teko areas is helping reduce the number of orchards posing a risk of harbouring the vine disease Psa-V.

Kiwifruit Vine Health CEO Barry O'Neil says during the last three months the number of outstanding abandoned and unmanaged orchards has halved.

During the last three months the number of outstanding abandoned and unmanaged orchards has halved.

'Substantial progress has been achieved in the Northland region with seven abandoned orchards removed or returned to production. Agreements with regional councils, post-harvest operators, KVH regional committees and landowners have greatly assisted in achieving rapid progress. Work in the Coromandel region continues.”

KVH and the industry is concerned inoculum levels of the aggressive bacterial vine disease can increase unimpeded in orchards which are not managed, risking further infection to neighbouring, managed vines.

Barry says KVH will be intensively following up remaining abandoned or unmanaged orchard properties during the next three months, including in the south and northwest Auckland areas.

'If timely agreements are not able to be made with landowners, the provisions of the National Psa-V Pest Management Plan as they relate to abandoned or unmanaged orchards will be enforced. The NPMP requirement is for orchards to be winter pruned by October 1 each year.”

Those provisions can include the mandatory removal of vines.

Growers and the public are encouraged to report any unmanaged or abandoned orchards to KVH on 0800 665 825 or email [email protected]