The PSA-managing body, Kiwifruit Vine Health, has introduced a ban on the movement of machinery and equipment in the Te Puke region, in a bid to control the bacteria’s spread.

Kiwifruit Vine Health general manager John Burke says the ban comes on the back of grower concern in the industry.

“What we’ve done it notified all the contractors that there’s to be no movement of machinery cross-border out of Te Puke.

“But if necessary, they can move their machines subject to a certification process, where we’ve set up a few depots, where the machines can cook it, and contractors can call in and have their vehicles inspected. 

“If they’re clean they get issued with a certificate – if not they can clean their machines on the spot before they cross the border.”

Meanwhile, July 25 is the new cut off date for kiwifruit growers to apply a subsidized copper spray to their vines.

Kiwifruit Vine Health says the subsidy period has been extended for a third time because wet and windy weather has made it impossible for growers to spray.

The copper spray provides protection to leaf scars on the vines.