Nationals Leader David Littleproud has raised concerns about the biosecurity assessment for pomelo imports from Vietnam, calling for an independent review of the process. Mr Littleproud said the citrus industry is seeking clarity on whether current assessments meet required standards and why a Scientific Advisory Group (SAG) has not been convened.
"Our citrus industry, along with bananas, is simply too important to be put at risk," Mr Littleproud said. "The risk of citrus canker being introduced is deeply concerning. But on top of that, Labor isn't being transparent and is treating the industry with contempt." He added that "we need a SAG not just to protect our industries but also to protect our lifestyle and our productivity."
Mr Littleproud said the Inspector-General of Biosecurity has recommended high-quality import risk assessments, and he questioned whether current evaluations align with those expectations. "Once you get an exotic disease such as citrus canker in Australia, it has an enormous impact on our growers who will then have to foot a bill to try to eradicate it," he said. He called for a full Biosecurity Import Risk Analysis under the Biosecurity Act.
Citrus Australia CEO Nathan Hancock said growers are concerned about the proposed import pathway. "The Department has not understood the risk of this pathogen and has underrated the risk of citrus canker being introduced into Australia, only a few years after successfully eradicating it for $18.7 million," Mr Hancock said.
He noted that the industry questions whether fruit is being sourced from regions with sufficiently low pest prevalence. "We are concerned that in this case, the imported fruit is not grown in a region of demonstrable low or no pest prevalence, and that the Department is allowing trade from regions with citrus canker, based on a risk assessment that has not benefited from independent citrus pathology expertise," he said.
Mr Hancock also raised concerns about the Department's proposed systems-based mitigation approach. "The Department has proposed a farm-to-pack-shed systems approach to lower the risk of transmission. We argue that a systems approach is not appropriate for a highly infectious disease like citrus canker."
He said any introduction of citrus canker would create pressure across growing regions. "The citrus industry is a significant economic driver in regional Australia and has heavily invested in biosecurity preparedness. By allowing this risk pathway to be open, the Department is putting all that at risk."
Australia's citrus sector continues to request further clarification on the assessment process and potential next steps for managing import risk.
Source: The Nationals
