Importing pineapples potentially infected with a deadly exploding virus from Malaysia into Australia would mean devastation to the $80m a year industry, according to growers and experts on the issue. “Growers feel like they’re on the edge as we don’t know when these pineapples will be allowed into the country,” says Rachel Mackenzie, Chief Advocate with Queensland horticulture grower organization Growcom
A number of interested parties including Growcom, have expressed their concern at the government’s refusal to review the decision to grade as ‘very low risk’ the 2% of pineapples coming in from Malaysia which will likely be infected with the deadly Erwinia Chrysanthemi virus, but not displaying any obvious signs. “We don’t agree with that determination. Once it gets in, it’s in. There is no pesticide you can use, no way to control it,” says Ms Mackenzie. “It could potentially infect other fruit without ever expressing itself.”
Ms Mackenzie along with Derek Lightfoot, Managing Director of Tropical Pines in Yeppoon, have told media how the virus has the potential to decimate 40% of crops, and have expressed concern that Government seems unresponsive, despite a sympathetic Federal Minister for Agriculture, Barnaby Joyce. “There is no review process for these sorts of biosecurity decisions,” Mr Lightfoot said. Discussions will continue, however, and Mr Lightfoot is confident that as senior level politicians, such as Barnaby Joyce, have become involved the industry will be notified of any work plan submitted by Malaysia, which would be the last step before imports begin. "We can't afford to relax. By involving senior politicians I'm sure we'll be notified if a work plan is ever submitted," he added.
Growcom along with other horticultural organizations lobbied successfully for a Senate Inquiry about the Import Risk Analysis, however current decisions still stand and there has been no formal response from government, according to Ms Mackenzie “This has been an inhouse decision where they marked their own homework, but one of the things that has come out of the Senate Inquiry is a recognition that the process is flawed.” She also expressed her concern that the science the decision is based on has come largely from the Malaysian government, with no checks or balances in place, as local industry organisations do not have the funds to conduct the necessary research.
Ms Mackenzie also emphasized the fact that there is no need to import fresh pineapples. “At the moment we more than satisfy the Australian fresh market. In the processing sector they’re having trouble getting hold of local pineapples but processed pineapple can already come in from overseas.”
“Why would you threaten an iconic Queensland industry for no benefit to consumers or growers?"
Mr Lightfoot agreed, adding that "The point we want to make is not that we don't want imports, but we're also only talking about imports of around 200 tonnes. Australia already produces 80000-90000 tonnes per year. Why on earth would we allow that amount in with the risk involved? There's no common sense."
For more information
Rachel Mackenzie
Growcom
Phone: +61736203883
E-mail: rmackenzie@growcom.com.au
Website: www.growcom.au
Derek Lightfoot
Tropical Pines
Phone: +61408315503
E-mail: derek@tropicalpines.com.au