A number of post harvest companies operating in New Zealand’s kiwifruit industry are considering legal action to help recoup loses stemming from the outbreak of vine disease Psa-V.
According to a Sun Media report, Seeka, EastPack, Satara and Mount Pack and Cool are considering a class action, although against whom this might be taken is yet to be established.
Seeka CEO Michael Franks told the Bay of Plenty-based media organisation the action would be against the government or companies that may have been involved in the introduction of the disease.
“Psa was not introduced by growers but they have lost capital value and suffered distress. If it is true that it got here because of a breech at the border then they should be able to seek redress. It is too premature for me to say against whom,” Franks said.
New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Inc is also considering legal action, according to the group’s president, Neil Trebilco.
“We are still talking with our legal advisors over the possibility and haven’t ruled out taking action but that’s not likely in the immediate future,” he said.
Trebilco estimates the disease, which most significantly impacts the gold Hort16a variety, has more than halved the value of the industry since its discovery in 2010.
“The industry was said to be worth around NZ$5bn (US$4.1bn) and Psa has more than halved that. In addition Bay of Plenty gold growers have not only lost equity they will also have no income from a gold crop this coming season.”
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