In September last year KVH distributed a fact sheet through the KVH Bulletin about plant virus Betaflexiviridae being detected in New Zealand kiwifruit vines. There are no symptoms or disease associated with this virus and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) consider it to be low-to-zero biosecurity risk.

However, there is a possibility that impacts may exist and have not been observed, or may develop in the future. Therefore, as an industry we are taking a precautionary approach to managing Betaflexiviridae and have implemented management practices to further limit distribution of this virus.

This will include Plant and Food Research no longer supplying Bruno seed from their orchards. Nurseries have been informed of this change and we are not expecting plant supply issues as a result.

• Click here for the updated Betaflexiviridae fact sheet.