Turners and Growers says the pressure PSA is putting on the kiwifruit industry means it will now not go ahead with its challenge against Zespri’s kiwifruit export monopoly.

Turners and Growers managing director Jeff Wesley told Country 99TV that while the company is committed to being able to legally export its own varieties abroad, now is not the right time to be battling the issue in court. 

“We are withdrawing that because PSA is having such a dramatic effect on the industry that we don’t think it’s right at this time to carry on with the appeal.”

However, Jeff Wesley says Turners and Growers will continue with its multi-pronged Court appeal against Zespri’s market power, its supply contracts and behaviour in the Australian market. He says the case has three main points of focus.

“One, that they breached the Commerce Act by trying to lock their growers in three year supply contracts after deregulation; two, that tried to abuse their market power by trying to grab new varieties which weren’t theirs; and three, that they tried to take hold of the Australian market which is outside the monopoly.”