Beetles found in imported kiwifruit

Photo / Bay of Plenty Times

A shipment of imported Italian kiwifruit has been fumigated and is now awaiting further inspection by MAF after it was found to contain four different species of unwanted beetles.

However, MAF has given an assurance the fruit is unlikely to transmit the vine-killing disease Psa.

The container, imported by Produce Partners Takapuna and carrying 1310 boxes of fruit, arrived in Auckland on January 26 when a bio-security inspection discovered 28 beetles.

The container is now at Kiwi Produce in Paengaroa.

MAF spokeswoman Helen Keyes said there was no evidence that kiwifruit - the fruit itself - could transmit Psa, the disease discovered in this country for the first time in November last year.

New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers president Peter Ombler said the news could make some growers nervous in light of identification of the virulent Italian strain of Psa in Te Puke orchards, but he agreed with MAF's statement that there was no evidence that fruit could transmit Psa.

"The good news is that MAF found the pests.

"This is why we have border controls."

Markets continued to accept New Zealand fruit despite the Psa outbreak and this country could not deny the rights of other nations, including Italian kiwifruit growers, to export fruit here, Mr Ombler said.

More vines infected with the virulent Italian strain of Psa will this week be cut out from what may eventually total 200ha of orchards in the Te Puke area.

Two strains of the bacteria, one that caused widespread devastation to orchards in Italy and one Asian strain that has not been so virulent, have been identified in this country.

The Italian strain is believed to be concentrated in 25 orchards southeast of Te Puke, orchards that are now the subject of intensive quarantine and possibly extensive vine removal.

- APN