Kiwifruit growers in New Zealand have welcomed their government's decision to approve a financial aid package that will offer support to those hit by the vine disease Psa.
Neil Trebilco, president of New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated (NZKGI), welcomed the breakthrough, which followed his organisation's recent lobbying to extend the definition of an "adverse event" so that it also included certain pest and disease outbreaks.
"This will give some growers most affected by Psa a level of financial and welfare support to help them through the impact of this disaster,” Trebilco commented.
“The reality is the full impact of Psa is only just beginning to be felt as many growers start to face their first season without all, or a large part of their orchard cash flow, as a result of having lost their vines to the disease.”
The announced package means eligible growers and their families will have access to welfare and psychological support.
They will also receive the Rural Assistance Payment (RAP), subject to an assessment of their income and assets, although the latter will not be included in the test if they are part of the kiwifruit growing business itself.
The government’s recovery framework, which was initially designed with one-off weather events in mind, provides RAP for 12 months and welfare support for 18 months.
For that reason, NZKGI said it would continue talking to officials about allowing a flexibile timescale for providing such assistance.
“The nature of the spread of Psa means that its impact will not be felt by everyone at the same time," said Trebilco.
"It will continue to spread through the country so that means growers in different regions will face the pressure of the Psa incursion at different times."
No comments yet