As suspicions grow that Psa has spread to kiwfruit orchards outside the BOP, MAF says it's unlikely it will be able to eradicate the disease.

The Govt could learn today whether diseased kiwifruit vines will need to be destroyed, as leaves begin to wilt on the first properties reported.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is preparing to copper-spray kiwifruit orchards affected by the vine-killing Psa bacteria, despite reservations it could do more harm than good.

Spraying kiwifruit vines with copper spray in hopes of controlling the vine-killing bacteria PSA has been put on hold today as growers and experts discuss the consequences of the action.

A vine-killing disease threatening to cost NZ's kiwifruit industry hundreds of millions of dollars is spreading. Last night, 75 orchards were showing possible symptoms.

A round-up of information about the kiwifruit vine disease Psa.

The presence of the devastating kiwifruit disease Psa has been confirmed at a second kiwifruit orchard, and Zespri says it has received photos of potential symptoms of the bacterium at 43 orchards around the country.

A kiwifruit industry expert is warning that under reaction to the vine canker disease could be fatal for the industry.

A third Kiwifruit orchard has been placed under 'restricted place notice' after symptoms of a bacterial infection were found.

The public is being asked to stay away from all kiwifruit orchards as the extent of a bacterial outbreak already confirmed on one Bay of Plenty property remains unclear.

Agriculture Minister David Carter will hold talks with kiwifruit growers after symptoms of a vine-killing disease were found at a second orchard.

MAF has now quarantined a second Bay of Plenty kiwifruit orchard over a suspected outbreak of the devastating disease Psa.

Labour's biosecurity spokesman says cuts to jobs and funding are behind the outbreak of the devastating kiwifruit disease Psa.

Kiwifruit disease researchers are trying to answer a crucial question - how long has Psa been here in New Zealand?

A kiwifruit disease found at a North Island orchard has the potential to upset trade but should not cause panic, the Biosecurity Minister says.

The kiwifruit industry faces a nervous wait as the threat of a disease never recorded in New Zealand hangs over a North Island orchard.

Orchardists growing gold kiwifruit may have had their hopes of bonanza returns this season dashed as they wait on confirmation that a vine-killing bacteria has arrived in NZ.

Two listed companies are the first victims of a suspected incursion in NZ of a bacterial disease which has ripped through gold kiwifruit varieties overseas, particularly in Italy.

An orchard is under quarantine after the discovery of a suspected bacterial disease that may threaten NZ's $1.5b kiwifruit industry.

Heads of the NZ Jewish communities are protesting the Government's proposed animal-welfare ban on shechita, the Jewish ritual slaughter of livestock.

Jetstar's calls to scrap immigration checks on the Tasman have sparked biosecurity fears from Federated Farmers.

Boaties are being asked to check their vessels for hitchhiking seaweed, after a noxious Japanese kelp turned up in Fiordland.