Latest fromBiosecurity

Kiwifruit support package thrashed out
The Kiwifruit Industry Advisory Council has put together a grower support package which it will propose to Biosecurity Minister David Carter and other parties tomorrow.

Psa strategy to focus on 'aggressive containment'
Biosecurity Minister David Carter says hopes of eradicating the Psa disease are fading, with the number of infected orchards climbing.

Infected kiwifruit orchards have doubled
The kiwifruit crisis in the Bay of Plenty is reaching new heights, with the number of stricken Te Puke orchards today doubling to eight. Another 82 are under investigation.

Fourth kiwifruit orchard infected
A fourth orchard in Te Puke has been confirmed with the kiwifruit vine-killing disease PSA. MAF is currently investigating 82 orchards in total.

Eradication of Psa becoming "increasingly difficult" - MAF
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.

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

Psa outbreak: Fears copper-spray plan may harm vines
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 of kiwifruit vines on hold
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.

Kiwifruit vine-killing disease crisis worsens
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.

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

Psa confirmed at second orchard
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.

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

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

MAF issues stay-away order for kiwifruit orchards
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.

Second Te Puke orchard infected, says MAF
Agriculture Minister David Carter will hold talks with kiwifruit growers after symptoms of a vine-killing disease were found at a second orchard.

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

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

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

Infected kiwifruit vines may need to be burned - Zespri
One option for containing the bacteria found on a kiwifruit orchard may be to rip out the infected vines and burn them, Zespri's head says.

Redbacks could threaten native wildlife - scientist
Redback spiders could thrive in some areas of NZ, posing a real threat to native wildlife, a scientist says.