The Kiwifruit Vine Health organisation is now a registered incorporated society and the search for its chief executive officer is underway.

A scene from a Psa infected vine burning in Pyes Pa.

It is operating as a non-profit organisation to implement an aggressive containment strategy for Psa in New Zealand, including negotiation of funding agreements and making financial assistance payments to growers. It is also intended to develop and implement a long term pest management and monitoring plan for Psa.

The Kiwifruit Vine Health board of directors was appointed by the members of the IAC and includes representatives from all key industry groups including Zespri, New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated, post harvest suppliers and Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Biosecurity.

Peter McBride is the board chairman heading the process to find a CEO with nominees already made and an appointment expected soon.

Psa status update

Restricted place notices issued during the height of the crisis to orchards affected by the disease are now being removed. They are being replaced with general permissions documents which outline grower obligations under the New Zealand Biosecurity Act.

This change is a relaxing of the restrictions put in place for the movement of plant material, equipment and personnel between orchards. Growers are now able to transition to full orchard operations and allow contractors and other workers access to their properties.

Psa statistics update

• About 50 per cent of New Zealand's kiwifruit growers have actively monitored their orchard and advised Zespri of the status of their orchard.
• 107 orchards have tested positive for Psa.
• The majority of Psa affected orchards about 75 per cent are within a 23km area south of Te Puke.
• Psa affected orchards have also been identified in Hawke's Bay, Tauranga, Whakatane / Edgecumbe, Waikato, Golden Bay, Motueka, and Gisborne.
• Test results over the weekend confirmed Psa positive findings in both Katikati and Horowhenua.
• Of the Psa affected orchards, those orchards that grow only Green account for 44 of the 107 that have been tested positive.
• The majority of Psa symptoms identified are considered primary symptoms – leaf spotting.
• Up to 30 orchards demonstrating primary symptoms have removed infected vines.
• Three of the orchards with advanced Psa symptoms have cut significant canopy area and removed infected materials.
• Case managers are working with Psa affected growers with orchards that demonstrate secondary symptoms to coordinate a comprehensive orchard assessment and to define, agree and act upon a Psa management strategy.