NZ: Zespri denies using scare tactics
That's the view of Matthew Hooton, spokesperson for the Kiwifruit Claim, who says the group is “taking a breather” and plans to file papers with the High Court in November. The legal documents were due to be filed last Friday and the deadline for growers to join the claim was tomorrow (October 24), but Matthew says that has now been extended to give growers more time to consider their options.
“Quite exceptional scaremongering has been coming from one or two Zespri directors and from NZKGI, and some of it has been quite personal,” claims Matthew.
“Claims have been made that if legal action was taken, the government would strip the industry of the Single Point of Entry status, would reduce funding for research and development in the kiwifruit industry and that Trade Minister Tim Groser would not represent the industry over access to markets. All of those claims are false.”
Kiwifruit marketer Zespri denies it is using scare tactics to put people off a planned class action against the Ministry for Primary Industries.
The vine-killing disease first appeared in an orchard on the outskirts of Te Puke in 2010 and spread over the next two years. It is estimated to have cost the country close to $900 million.
The Kiwifruit Claim group allege that the ministry's border officials did not protect New Zealand from biosecurity risks.
Kiwifruit Claim chairperson John Cameron said that unfortunate atmosphere has led to a large number of people in the industry wanting to take more time to think about the court action and the statement of claim would now be filed next month.
A spokesperson for Zespri said today that the allegations are nonsense, while the ministry has said it is confident that biosecurity staff were not to blame for the outbreak.
Source: sunlive.co.nz/radionz.co.nz