New Zealand apple growers are celebrating the release of a report on the fairness of entry to Australia.

The country’s exporters are hoping the IRA (Import Risk Analysis) report will aid their mission to send more fruit to their neighbours in the Southern Hemisphere.

Australia Apple Access Group spokesperson Phil Alison refused to comment on the report as the group had yet to see the draft.

And there is no certainty that the report will deliver any of the outcomes New Zealand wants, he claimed.

Industry body Pipfruit New Zealand has set up a group of experts to examine the report.

The group includes MAF officials and scientists, as well as Pipfruit New Zealand representatives and growers.

“The IRA is a substantial report and it will take some time to go through. A team of experts will begin this process immediately,” said Alison.

AAAG has said it will continue to monitor the situation and take further action if the report is not scientifically based.

The government has also stated that WTO action will be undertaken on the same grounds.

Alison said: “Australia is on notice and if the conclusions are unfair they will be taken to the WTO.”

But he warned against premature celebration.

“We don’t want to be caught like last time when on the face of it, it looked positive but mitigating measures for the importation of apples into Australia meant the right to access was meaningless,” he added.

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