Apples from New Zealand have been airfreighted to Australia without fanfare despite producers having waited for the opportunity since 1921.
A World Trade Organisation ruling paved the way for the apple imports after allegations of New Zealand apples carrying fireblight and other diseases were proved to be unsubstantiated.
“After 90 years there’s some cause for celebration,” says PipfruitNZ CEO Peter Beaven.
The politicking over the apples has caused some nervousness among importers and wholesalers in Australia, says Mr Beaven, but it would be short-lived.
New Zealand apples also face campaigns by Australia’s apple industry who are using unifying brands to appeal to consumer patriotism and two Australian supermarkets are also promising to stock Australian apples first.
“It’s been a long fight and it is probably not over yet but at least the door is open,” said Mr Beaven.
Calling the disease the “herpes of fruit”, independent South Australian senator, Nick Xenophon is making a belated attempt to introduce a private members bill giving Australia’s parliament the right to overrule biosecurity officials.
New Zealand Minister of Trade, Tim Groser, has called the move a “political stunt” according to Radio N.Z.
He was reported as saying that international opinion would force the Australian Government to put the quarantine procedures that had been agreed upon into place.
Unrestricted access for New Zealand apples could see this country take about 5% of the Australian market, worth about $30 million.
A World Trade Organisation ruling paved the way for the apple imports after allegations of New Zealand apples carrying fireblight and other diseases were proved to be unsubstantiated.
“After 90 years there’s some cause for celebration,” says PipfruitNZ CEO Peter Beaven.
The politicking over the apples has caused some nervousness among importers and wholesalers in Australia, says Mr Beaven, but it would be short-lived.
New Zealand apples also face campaigns by Australia’s apple industry who are using unifying brands to appeal to consumer patriotism and two Australian supermarkets are also promising to stock Australian apples first.
“It’s been a long fight and it is probably not over yet but at least the door is open,” said Mr Beaven.
Calling the disease the “herpes of fruit”, independent South Australian senator, Nick Xenophon is making a belated attempt to introduce a private members bill giving Australia’s parliament the right to overrule biosecurity officials.
New Zealand Minister of Trade, Tim Groser, has called the move a “political stunt” according to Radio N.Z.
He was reported as saying that international opinion would force the Australian Government to put the quarantine procedures that had been agreed upon into place.
Unrestricted access for New Zealand apples could see this country take about 5% of the Australian market, worth about $30 million.
