Monsanto says orchard owners like Cambridge couple Mark and Robyn Gardiner, whose kiwifruit were struck by Psa in 2010, could be helped by the introduction of GE crops. A kiwifruit industry crippled by Psa disease is ripe for introducing genetic modification, says a visiting American biotechnology advocate.

It's estimated Psa disease will damage the kiwifruit industry to the tune of $310-$410 million over the next five years. So a genetically-engineered solution to the disease could have significant economic benefits, said Robert Reiter, vice-president of American agrochemical giant Monsanto.