Fight to block kiwifruit bug's spread

Braden Hungerford (centre) says Psa-V hit 33 growers last week. Photo / APN

Gisborne kiwifruit growers are pulling out all stops to keep a destructive disease out of the region as Bay of Plenty orchardists rip out a growing number of blocks.

Kiwifruit Vine Health operations manager Braden Hungerford - one of the first growers whose orchard was struck with the disease - and Gisborne grower and KVH regional co-ordinator Tim Egan have talked to growers, orchard staff and kiwifruit monitors about stopping the bug hitting Gisborne.

As the temperature and humidity rise in Te Puke, more and more vines are being cut out daily.

Psa-V is one of the most severe biosecurity incursions to happen in New Zealand and it is crippling the kiwifruit industry in the Bay of Plenty, says Mr Hungerford.

"Orchards are going every day. Thirty-three orchards were found with infection last week."

Mr Hungerford is getting calls daily from stressed growers.

"How do you tell your kids you have lost everything? We have got support teams and pastoral care in place as well. Some growers are looking at seven years' work."

They are faced with having to take to their vines with chainsaws.

"A lot of them have their identity tied up in their orchard and suddenly it's not there."

Mr Hungerford has cut out all his gold kiwifruit vines since the disease hit his orchard last November. "Some people have found the disease on a Friday and their vines have been [gone] by the Monday."

Within two weeks of finding Psa-V on his orchard late last year, he had cut out 3.5ha and within the month the rest of his block was gone. "Te Puke has the best climate and soil to grow kiwifruit in New Zealand but also has ideal conditions for the disease to multiply."

The disease is mostly contained within the Te Puke area. Five orchards in nearby Tauranga and one in Waihi have the disease.

The industry is confident in its management of the bug but until resistant varieties can be found, many growers are in limbo. The industry goal for a solution is 2013.

Demand for the fruit has not changed, opening a door for Gisborne growers, says Mr Hungerford. The industry is worth about $17 million a year to Gisborne.

Nationally, the return was about $1 billion for the 2010-2011 year.

The industry is a big earner for Eastland Port and associated industries as well and there is potential for big losses, says Tim Egan.

It is all about border control and Mr Egan hopes the community will help to keep the bug out.