Wild Kiwifruit should be eradicated in NZ...

Image via WikipediaForest and Bird is calling for the eradication of wild kiwifruit vines in Bay of Plenty following an outbreak of the devastating PSA disease.

Thirteen Bay of Plenty kiwifruit orchards have been confirmed with the bacteria PSA, with 16 orchards quarantined
.
Forest and Bird Kaimai Mamaku Campaign chairman Peter Maddison said wild kiwifruit vines could harbour the bacteria and should be destroyed.

"Now is an ideal opportunity to eradicate these vines and reinstate the areas as native wildlife corridors," he said.

"We recognise that the wilding kiwifruit are mainly the green variety, rather than the initially infected gold variety, but we believe the wild vines could still act as reservoirs for re-infestation of kiwifruit orchards."
Dr Maddison said other species of the kiwifruit family should also be checked for signs of PSA.

Acknowledgements: - NZPA

Related articles

• New Zealand aims to contain kiwifruit disease (reuters.com)
• Second kiwifruit orchard quarantined (nzherald.co.nz)
• New Zealand Quarantines Second Kiwifruit Vineyard (businessweek.com)
• Kiwifruit Disease Spreads as 20 N.Z. Orchards Put Under Scrutiny (businessweek.com)
• Funding cuts to blame for kiwifruit disease (nzherald.co.nz)

What is the similarity...

What is the similarity...

Aussie Bob and Kiwi Pete were enjoying a few beers after a barbie, and got talking about delicacies from their respective countries. After a while Kiwi Pete asked Aussie Bob the following question. "What is the similarity between an Aussie and a Kiwifruit?"

"Dunno mate." replied Aussie Bob.

"Well, they are both brown and hairy on the outside, and very green on the inside." stated Kiwi Pete.

"Yeah, brown and hairy on the outside, that's us, mate!" skited Aussie Bob.

"And green as a kiwifruit on the...." demanded Pete.

"Dunno, don't get that part, Kiwi?" questioned Bob.

"Don't worry about it mate. Just give us another beer, Bob