Kiwifruit orchards placed under quarantine after testing positive for PSA have had their restriction notices lifted.

Growers who had effectively had their orchards sealed off will be issued with a General Permissions agreement, outlining their biosecurity obligations and best practice guidelines.

Kiwifruit Vine Health Incorporated chairman Peter McBride says allowing affected orchardists to resume daily work is an important step for the industry.

“It’s about giving them the flexibility to run their businesses."

"The key difference between a person in this situation and the industry is the removal of bud wood and pollen in particular, the rest of it is just best practice.

"It means they can just get on with their lives."

Lifting the Restricted Place Notices allows orchardists greater flexibility in moving equipment on and off their properties. 

Peter McBride says now PSA is likely here to stay it’s important all growers follow the new best practice guidelines.

"There’ll be the odd issue or the odd exception but I’m not expecting that – and that reflects the nature of the industry, it’s very co-operative.

"It also reflects the structure of the industry to some extent.”

The process is being overseen by MAF in conjunction with the kiwifruit industry.