Kiwifruit grower none the wiser about illicit spraying of insecticide

Northland kiwifruit grower Kerry Farrand had to dump nearly 30,000 trays of gold kiwifruit after powerful insecticide Calypso was sprayed on the fruit growing.

A Northland kiwifruit grower is still waiting for information almost a month after posting a $50,000 reward for evidence that could lead to a conviction for the sabotage of his prized fruit.

Kerry Farrand, owner of Farrand Orchards in Kerikeri, had to dump nearly 30,000 trays of gold kiwifruit after powerful insecticide Calypso was sprayed on the fruit growing in two orchards over 2.26ha last month.

With Zespri - the world's largest marketer of kiwifruit - paying him $8 per tray, Mr Farrand said he had lost about $220,000 in income for the year.

The spray meant he was unable to sell the kiwifruit on the world market as residue levels of the spray used exceeded the approved levels.

Mr Farrand had no doubts the kiwifruit were contaminated by someone who knew the industry well and was qualified to spray Calypso.

When contacted yesterday, Mr Farrand said no one had come forward with information that could lead to an arrest, but his $50,000 offer stands.

He lodged a complaint with police but they said he needed a witness or someone who the guilty party had spoken to about the sabotage to come forward. Under the Crimes Act, the likely charge of contamination of food or crops carries a maximum penalty of 10 years' imprisonment.

Give information directly to kafarrand@gmail.com, or to Kerikeri police Senior Constable Robert Drummond on (09) 407 9211.