Kiwifruit growers are suing the Government, claiming the negligence of biosecurity officials resulted in the PSA outbreak that began ravaging orchards four years ago.
The vine disease - first spotted in Bay of Plenty in 2010 - is estimated to have cost the country close to $900 million.
A group dubbed The Kiwifruit Claim said it was seeking compensation from the Government but did not give a figure.
Kiwifruit and avocado grower John Cameron, who chairs the group, said it represented more than 10 percent of growers and was encouraging more growers to sign up to the class action.
He said an independent report commissioned by the Ministry for Primary Industries found biosecurity officials had been negligent, dating back to 2004.
However, a ministry spokesperson said it was confident it had acted appropriately.
