An Australian senate inquiry has asked that New Zealand's apple imports, which were back in the game after a gap of 86 years, be put on hold.
The Senate's rural and regional affairs committee said it is not convinced there is only a low risk of fireblight crossing the sea to Australia and recommended a ban on New Zealand apple imports until it has analysed scientific evidence from Biosecurity Australia, to determine there is a "low" to "very low" risk of the disease establishing itself.
So far, the recommendation has been ignored by the Australian Government.
said Biosecurity Australia's import risk assessment had been extremely thorough.
Agriculture minister Peter McGauran said: "The new inspection procedures for New Zealand apples will be the most stringent for imported apples anywhere in the world.”
"Australia cannot adopt a zero quarantine risk policy. Such a policy would mean we would not be able to conduct trade or tourism with any country and it would be used against us in our export markets."
But New Zealand apple growers are not confident McGauran will maintain this line. Pipfruit New Zealand chairman Ian Palmer said:
"It's pure politics. An election is coming up, a lot of senators are in marginal seats and they'll be rattling his chain.
"Every delaying and stalling tactic that can be used is being used."
Even if New Zealand apples did make it on to Australian shores, a writ to stop them being distributed to greengrocers could be waiting, Palmer said.
New Zealand growers have set aside more than 1,000 hectares of orchard for the Australian market and are awaiting final import details.
Some growers, including Palmer, are pulling out after showing initial interest.
"I looked at it but it will be just too expensive to meet all the requirements of orchard inspections and chlorine baths. Anyway, they are totally unjustified."
If the door was shut again, a New Zealand appeal to the World Trade Organisation would be inevitable, he said. Even if it succeeded, it would take four years or more before Australia would be forced to take New Zealand apples.
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