PSA 'mystery' outside NZ control zone

A New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers representative has told Radio New Zealand a new case of PSA vine disease 15km (9.3 miles) outside the containment zone is a mystery.

The organisation's president Peter Ombler told the radio programme he did not know how the virulent Italian strain of the disease was able to appear in an isolated orchard.

Ombler said the new appearance probably wasn't wind-assisted as it was too far from the containment zone, but despite the ongoing PSA issue the country's kiwifruit harvest is looking positive, Radionz.co.nz repored.

A New Zealand government-industry forum recently decided it would not go ahead with plans for a NZ$20 million (US$14.75 million) vine cull to combat the disease.