Kiwifruit growers' organisation New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated is joining the chorus of industry groups speaking against The Kiwifruit Claim class action call.

NZKGI advice is for growers to wait until due diligence is completed on the agreement participating growers are being asked to sign when they join the claim.

NZKGI vice president Doug Brown.

'We are currently assessing all information and the due diligence will be completed next week and advised to growers,” says NZKGI vice president Doug Brown today.

'A key concern for NZKGI is ensuring growers are not exposed to large financial costs in the event the claim is unsuccessful.”

NZKGI has asked for a copy of the legal advice on which the claim is based to complete its assessment, says Doug.

'To date, this has not been provided. However, based on the information we currently have, we believe the claim is not likely to succeed and will take many years.”

The NZKGI growers' forum passed a resolution to not join The Kiwifruit Claim.

NZKGI strongly values the industry relationship with Government and believes working together is the best option to ensure growers continue to benefit from premium returns, says Doug.

'We believe this claim may damage the kiwifruit industry's relationship with the New Zealand Government.”

He says by working and partnering with Government, the kiwifruit industry has the single point of entry. The marketing system has had tariff reductions negotiated, for example the trade agreements with China and Taiwan.

The industry also receives research and development funding from the Government, retains market access to off-shore markets; and has had improvements made to the country's biosecurity system to better protect the industry.

NZKGI was established in 1993 to represent New Zealand's then 2400 kiwifruit growers and give growers their own voice in industry and government decision making.

It was formed following the downturn in the kiwifruit industry in the early 1990's.