New Zealand: Aussie apple growers lose appeal

Australian apple growers have had all three appeals against a decision allowing New Zealand apples across the Tasman rejected.

New Zealand apples have been banned from Australia since 1921 on grounds that they could bring with them the destructive bacterial disease fire blight - a ban that many Kiwi growers have claimed is a case of market protectionism.

Last November Biosecurity Australia recommended New Zealand apples be allowed into the country, with a very strict set of protocols.

The protocols include orchard inspections in New Zealand to check for fire blight symptoms, the use of disinfection treatments in packing houses and auditing that involves the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service.

However, many New Zealand growers are not happy with the conditions as it is believed they will make any export endeavour unviable.

Australian Access Action group spokesman Phil Alison says they are sticking with their plans to take Australia to the World Trade Organisation over the set of rules.

Alison says they will be continuing to work with the government to get the WTO hearing.

Source: tvnz.co.nz