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Australians vow to fight apple ruling

Australian apple growers are warning of drastic consequences if their government isn't successful in its appeal against a World Trade Organisation (WTO) ruling that has opened the transtasman door to New Zealand produce.The WTO said yesterday Australia wa

NZPA
Wed, 11 Aug 2010

Australian apple growers are warning of drastic consequences if their government isn't successful in its appeal against a World Trade Organisation (WTO) ruling that has opened the transtasman door to New Zealand produce.

The WTO said yesterday Australia was breaching international trade laws by refusing to allow New Zealand apples to cross its borders and it rejected the 80-year-old claim that there is a risk of fireblight and other diseases being introduced to orchards.

New Zealand apple growers rejoiced, although they were cautious about the eventual outcome after Australian Agriculture Minister Tony Burke said the ruling would be appealed.

However, Pipfruit New Zealand chief executive Peter Beaven said he expected New Zealand apples would be on Australian shelves by 2012, despite the appeal.

Australian apple grower representatives said the industry was already struggling to survive and an influx of New Zealand apples would push prices down even further.

Harcourt Fruitgrowers' Association president Trevor Peeler said he was most concerned about the danger of disease -- something the WTO said was not substantiated by any scientific evidence.

"The effect would be devastating," he said.

"I know New Zealanders will have trouble understanding we're using this lever to keep their apples out of Australia, but the reality is it's a major concern."

Mr Peeler said the tree-killing fireblight bacteria would get into Australia.

Infected apples would land in Melbourne and Sydney and eventually they would be packed into the same containers local growers used to distribute their apples.

The New Zealand Labour Party says the issue is going to become a political football in Australia, which is in the middle of an election campaign.

NZPA
Wed, 11 Aug 2010
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Australians vow to fight apple ruling
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