Zespri is embarking on a new recovery pathway for the devastating vine-killing disease Psa with the release of the new gold kiwifruit variety Gold3.

Zespri chairman John Loughlin launched the new campaign on Wednesday granting growers of the destroyed Hort 16A variety licences for the Gold3 strand.

Zespri is releases licences for the new Gold3 variety.

'For 18 months Psa has had a devastating impact on the Zespri Gold Hort16A variety destroying the livelihoods of orchard owners, and putting those communities relying on the kiwifruit industry under significant pressure.

'In that time everyone has worked incredibly hard to understand the disease and establish a viable pathway out of Psa, which will return the industry to its long-term growth path.

'Today is the culmination of this work and marks the turning point at which the industry begins to rebuild.”

Psa has infected more than 40 per cent of New Zealand's kiwifruit orchards since it was confirmed in November 2010.

It has been particularly devastating on the original Zespri Gold kiwifruit variety, with around a third of the country's Hort16A orchards predicted to be cut out by the end of the 2012 harvest due to infection.

All current Hort16A growers will be able to access Gold3 licences if they choose to graft across. Once a grower has grafted across it will take up to three years for them to return to full production.

Gold3 is showing good Psa tolerance and John says combined with the proven characteristics it looks set to be a commercial success.

'Those key commercial qualities include taste, quality and consistency, storage and market performance.”

A further 400 hectares of Gold3 is being released to allow other growers the opportunity to diversify their orchards into different varieties of kiwifruit.

'Zespri is being very clear to growers that this pathway is not without risk.

'We do not have all the knowledge on either the Psa or the commercial performance of Gold3.

'However, based on what is known to date we are confident this pathway is realistic and gives the industry its best chance of coming out of Psa.”

Kiwifruit Vine Health spokesman Terry Richards says this is a significant step, but the hard work continues for the industry as the disease remains a long-term risk for all kiwifruit growers.

'Our focus going forward is to continue to get best available scientific knowledge and practical information to growers about minimising the impact of Psa on orchards.”