Biosecurity Minister David Carter says hopes of eradicating the Psa disease are fading, with the number of infected orchards climbing.

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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.

New Zealand has scored a major trade coup in talks with Russia.

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

It was just another day at Zespri, until the phone rang and the jaw-dropping news came through.

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.

John Key has told his Japanese hosts at Apec that NZ only wants Japan at talks on a regional free trade agreement if agriculture is on the table.

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.