Kiwifruit growers are turning their attention to the lasting impact of the vine disease PSA, as the extent of the outbreak slowly becomes clearer.

Industry leaders and biosecurity officials are awaiting the outcome of tests over the weekend on more than 70 samples of possible PSA.

Zespri Marketing Manager Carol Ward says they’ll then have a better picture of the extent of its  reach.

“Over the next few days, as we get more information and more results come in, we can find out how long it’s been in New Zealand and how widespread it is here.

"That’s going to inform for us what action we can take as an industry."

Ms Ward says short and long term issues such as burning infected vines and possible compensation for growers are being considered, but no decision’s yet been made.

"Before we rush into an eradication option we have to understand more about it.

"With compensation, there hasn’t been a lot of discussion about that yet, we’re in the information gathering phase.

"If there was an agreement it would be with the industry advisory council, otherwise nothing would be agreed.”

Agriculture Minister David Carter has visited the Bay of Plenty again for the latest on the situation.

He says copper spraying to try and limit PSA’s spread is continuing.

“The copper spraying has occurred on the very first farm that was isolated where we did find PSA in existence.

"We’re now working on making an announcement towards the end of the day as to how we’re going to handle PSA in the future."

Mr Carter says early results of tests in other kiwifruit growing regions are encouraging. 

"We cannot jump to conclusions, but at this stage it looks like the PSA is confined to a 10 kilometre area.

"At some stage we do still need to make a big call as to whether eradication is a possibility.”

Confirmation of PSA hasn’t affected our kiwifruit trade. 

The USA and Australia have banned imports of nursery plants and cuttings, but our main export market of Japan has indicated it will continue to accept fruit.