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.

Seventy-five properties have made contact about possible Psa symptoms, with the Govt worried the disease may be far more widespread.

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.

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?

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.

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

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

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.

A crate of plants came with an exotic surprise this afternoon as biodiversity officials discovered a live boa constrictor hiding inside.

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

A probe into the escape of genetically engineered plants from a government laboratory found scientists had left routes open.

A teenager has been sent to prison for three months after smuggling two small snakes into the country in his pants.