National Party MPs are banding together to do their best for Te Puke as orchardists battle through the disease threat that is casting its shadow across the town.

Rotorua MP Todd McClay, Minister of Agriculture David Carter, Bay of Plenty MP Tony Ryall, Tauranga MP Simon Bridges and Zespri CEO Lain Jager front a press conference in Te Puke.
Bay of Plenty MP Tony Ryall gives his views about the Psa disease on camera to SunLive in video below.

As confirmation came on Wednesday morning that two orchards in the Te Puke area are infected with Pseudomonas syringae pv (Psa), and a third is in quarantine, four MPs in government were visiting the area.

Rotorua MP Todd McClay, Tauranga MP Simon Bridges and Bay of Plenty MP Tony Ryall joined with Minister of Agriculture David Carter in a briefing on the issue, meeting with growers and contractors and on tours of orchards in the area.

Tony says he is impressed with the speed at which MAF and Zespri have addressed the issue and is confident in their ability to handle the situation.