Apple growers bitterly disappointed by decision

Australia’s apple growers will be asking themselves how they can be expected to absorb the unprecedented levels of business risk which follow Biosecurity Australia’s decision to disallow the appeal against its Import Risk Analysis and allow apples to be imported into Australia from New Zealand, according to peak horticulture organisation, Growcom.

Growcom’s Chief Advocate Mark Panitz said the decision was a bitterly disappointing result for Australia’s apple growers.

“It will represent an enormous increase in business risk and uncertainly for our apple growers because of the threat of the disease fire blight,” Mr Panitz said.

“It will also dramatically affect Australia’s status as a country free of the pests and diseases suffered by other nations.

“Biosecurity Australia is apparently saying to the industry ‘our quarantine measures can prevent this disease entering the country despite your scientific evidence to the contrary’.

“The fate of the industry now depends on them being right. Clearly, there needs to be some accountability if they are wrong.

“Given the industry’s assessment of the inadequacy of quarantine arrangements under Biosecurity Australia’s Import Risk Analysis, many experts believe that fire blight is now inevitable in this country. And since our weather conditions are so suited to its survival, particularly in Queensland’s own Stanthorpe apple growing region, the disease’s spread on arrival would also be inevitable.

“Who will bear the financial responsibility of the collapse of Australian apple producers’ businesses due to fire blight?”

Mr Panitz said Growcom supported Apple and Pear Australia Ltd (APAL) and shared its frustration at the appeal process which apparently did not take sufficient time to consider additional scientific research and information provided by the industry.

“One can only speculate that a political decision has been made in relation to Australia’s trade relationship with New Zealand which no scientific argument about the hazards to our own industry can stack up against.

“APAL has called for a Senate Inquiry which may shed light on the machinations of the decision-making process through independent submissions. But while this will make interesting reading when published, it may well be too late for the Australian apple industry.

“Growers’ livelihoods now hinge on the detail of the protocol. The industry will be watching closely to see how the quarantine process is administered.”