New Zealand’s apple industry is to embark on a scheme to measure its carbon footprint and find ways to reduce emissions associated with fruit production, according to Radio New Zealand.

The pipfruit project is one of 10 government-funded programmes to help primary New Zealand export industries assess and manage their carbon footprints, Radio New Zealand said.

The food-miles debate in Europe – New Zealand apples’ major market – is the main incentive behind the scheme, Sarah McLaren, a research leader for Landcare Research, which is heading the apple project, told Radio New Zealand.

The project is designed to show overseas markets that New Zealand producers are being pro-active about reducing their carbon emissions, she said.

Ms McLaren told Radio New Zealand that there are three parts to the project: the first is finding out where the greenhouse gas emissions are in the growing process; the second is looking at reduction opportunities; and the third is looking at what it means for the industry, how they can reduce their carbon footprints and respond to the international markets.

The project's results will be announced at Pipfruit New Zealand's conference next July, Radio New Zealand said.