The Productivity Task Force headed by Don Brash has lobbed a grenade into the middle of the current kiwifruit industry row by recommending deregulation of the industry.
Zespri chairman John Loughlin describes the recommendation as ‘completely unacceptable' and says if implemented the recommendation would lead to a significant productivity drop and a resultant reduction in New Zealand's export earnings.

Peter Ombler says some of Turners & Growers' comments are outrageous.

For the kiwifruit co-operative the timing couldn't be worse with the Turners & Growers challenge to their single desk marketing model currently heading to court amidst allegations of dirty tactics by both sides.
Last week Trade Minister Tim Groser became involved after allegations from Zespri that Turners & Growers was trying to get the World Trade Organisation to query the single point of entry model.
The latest salvo from Turners & Growers has been a letter from managing director Jeff Wesley claiming New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers has joined the court case unnecessarily and is wasting growers' money in the process.
NZKGI president Peter Ombler says his organisation had no other option than to join proceedings.
'We were served along with Zespri and we had three options; to not be involved, to be an intervener, or to defend. We took legal advice that told us to become an intervener. We would be absolutely irresponsible if we didn't do everything we could to protect the current situation because it is what our growers have told us to do. For Turners & Growers to initiate this action and then tell us we don't have the right to defend is outrageous.”