New Zealand kiwifruit marketer Zespri has said it is focusing on ensuring a successful finish to the season rather than getting embroiled in a media debate on whether or not its detractor, Turners & Growers, colluded with foreign powers to break the single-desk system.

A spokeswoman for Zespri, Carol Ward, confirmed that earlier this year unsolicited information had come to the company’s attention which suggested that efforts were underway to compromise the New Zealand government’s trade policy.

She said: “Zespri was concerned that the activities that had come to our attention were unhelpful to New Zealand’s national interest and international relations and the minister has confirmed that. As he has said, it appears that Turners & Growers, having failed to convince New Zealand kiwifruit growers or the New Zealand government of the merits of its case, has now turned to seeking to work with foreign governments.

“Zespri is grateful for the minister’s assistance and for his public reconfirmation of the New Zealand government’s policy that it will support Zespri and our single-point-of-entry marketing arrangements for as long as they have the support of growers. Given the commercial and diplomatic sensitivities of these matters, it is not appropriate for us to provide more detailed public comment.”

Topics