By Simon Shepherd
Agriculture Minister David Carter has taken two big bites at those involved in the apple controversy with Australia.
On one hand, he said the South Australian government is overreacting at the discovery of a leaf and a bug in a consignment of apples.
On the other, he said New Zealand growers have had plenty of time to sort out any biosecurity risks.
Two weeks ago, inspectors discovered a leaf and a dead insect in a New Zealand packhouse called an Apple Leaf Curling Midge.
Both were in a carton destined for Australia and both breached biosecurity rules.
“…that fruit was found here in the packhouse and it failed to go to Australia so that fruit never left New Zealand and it didn’t go to Australia,” says Bruce Beaton from Apollo Apples.
Mr Beaton says that shows screening procedures are working but our government is not as convinced.
“Well I think the industry has had a long time, nearly 90 years, to ready for this market. I am very disappointed that the industry wasn’t up to scratch on this occasion,” says Mr Carter.
The discovery has also fired up Australian growers again who claim Kiwi apples carry fireblight disease and slack screening could be disastrous.
“I believe that once millions of apples are allowed into the country it would only be a matter of time before the disease would become established,” says Greg Cramond from the South Australian Apple and Pear Growers Association.
The South Australian government is planning no-go zones for New Zealand apples; something our Government says is a complete overreaction.
“It’s a complete overreaction by the South Australian government again it is them attempting to protect the domestic industry,” says Mr Carter.
But Tasmania is not happy at the prospect of our apples either. It says regardless of whatever the federal government might do, it is considering whether to continue its current ban on New Zealand apples.
3 News
source: newshub archive
