Australian effort to ban NZ apples seen as beyond a farce

The New Zealand pipfruit industry organisation has described Australian growers' continuing efforts to continue a 1921 ban on apple imports from this country as beyond a farce.

Growers are demanding a Senate inquiry and have threatened legal action after the rejection of their appeals against Biosecurity Australia's recommendation to allow imports of New Zealand apples.

Even with the strict conditions proposed, Australian growers claim there's still a risk of apples from this country spreading the plant disease fireblight, as well as other pests and diseases.

The New Zealand pipfruit industry regards the restrictions that Biosecurity Australia has proposed for allowing apple imports as an unjustified trade barrier.

Pipfruit New Zealand's chief executive Peter Beavan, says options include taking a complaint to the World Trade Organisation, but that will be a decision for the Government to make.

Source: radionz.co.nz