Zespri has claimed there is no risk of residues if the anti-Psa antibiotic streptomycin is used before the flowering of kiwifruit.
Grower relations general manager Simon Limmer pointed out that the Environmental Protection Agency would not have given the New Zealand industry the go-ahead to use the antibiotic if there was any danger of residues that would jeopardise exports to Europe, where the EU has banned any fruit carrying residues of antibiotics or chemicals.
The kiwifruit marketer itself has a zero-residue policy on fruit and insisted the streptomycin would only be applied before flowering.
Zespri was responding to concerns raised earlier in the week by the Independent Kiwifruit Growers of New Zealand, who had been advised by Italian growers that use of the antibiotic could induce resistance in Psa bacteria and cause human health problems.
