DAFF spokesperson says Vietnamese pomelos will not arrive until import conditions are finalised
Citrus growers in Australia’s Northern Territory have expressed concerns imports of Vietnamese pomelo will affect local industry and risk the reintroduction of citrus canker, according to a report by the ABC.
The bacterial disease, which is prevalent across Vietnam’s major pomelo-growing regions, was eradicated from the Northern Territory in 2021 after destroying thousands of plants.
Tropical Primary Products farm manager Han Shiong Siah told the ABC accepting Vietnamese pomelo posed significant biosecurity risk and added the imports would flood the market and bring the price of his product down.
“We’re concerned the imports from Vietnam will inundate our industry with their pomelos,” he said. “[Citrus canker is] prevalent over there … we do not want it in Australia.”
Last year the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry recommended pomelo imports from all commercial production areas in Vietnam be permitted, subject to a range of biosecurity requirements.
Industry body Citrus Australia previously raised concerns about the prevalence of citrus canker and said that packed fruit is a recognised pathway for the spread of what is a highly infectious disease.
However, according to the ABC, the body has since softened its stance following a meeting with the agriculture department.
“We do feel that the department’s listened to our concerns, and we’re hoping that they will take on some of our mitigations and recommendations,” Citrus Australia CEO Nathan Hancock told the publication.
He added that he understood growers’ concerns but said imports were part of a positive trading relationship with Vietnam.
“The citrus industry is one that benefits a lot from exporting ourselves and being in a free-trade arrangement, we have to take the ups and the downs,” he said.
“We’re not in a situation where we can oppose importations based on the commercial risk.”
A Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry spokesperson told the ABC the government would never compromise on biosecurity, and pomelos from Vietnam would not arrive until import conditions were finalised.
“The department’s independent scientific and technical experts have undertaken a rigorous, science-based assessment on the importation of pomelo from Vietnam,” the spokesperson said.
“Australia will only accept measures that manage the biosecurity risk to Australia’s appropriate level of protection.”
