The Independent Kiwifruit Growers Association (IKGA) in New Zealand has expressed concerns about Zespri's and Kiwifruit Vine Health's plan to control Psa by spraying fruit with the antibiotic streptomycin.
Chris Dunn, a spokesman for IKGA, said: 'We've taken advice from our growing colleagues in Italy, who strongly warn against Zespri's plan to contaminate New Zealand vines in this way. They say it will not solve the problem, may induce resistance in the Psa bacteria here and could cause human health problems.'
Italy's kiwifruit crop has been devastated by the disease, but its growers do not countenance using streptomycin.
Indeed, the EU has banned any fruit that contains antibiotic residues.
'We are really concerned that at a time when kiwifruit growers are struggling under the weight of the Psa outbreak undue pressure is being brought to bear on growers in a bid to force them to allow this spraying to go ahead,' Dunn advised.
