The Washington Apple Commission has put its president offive years on administrative leave, stating it wanted to 'head in a differentdirection', according to Seattle PI.

President Dave Carlson was apparently surprised at themove and wasn't sure what was behind it, but members of the WSAC board saidthere were 'personnel issues' they could not discuss.

The apple season in Washington is expected to come in at98.2m cartons (19kg) this year, slightly down from last season.

Before he was dismissed, Mr Carlson said he believeddemand for this year's crop would be good, while most of last season's harvesthad been sold.

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