FED:WTO gets trans-Tasman fruit fight

AAP General News (Australia)
08-10-2010
FED:WTO gets trans-Tasman fruit fight

CANBERRA, Aug 10 AAP - Agriculture Minister Tony Burke has vowed to take on the world
to defend Australia's apple industry from devastating diseases.

Australia will appeal a World Trade Organisation (WTO) ruling that its import conditions
for New Zealand apples unduly restrict trade.

The WTO's panel of independent arbitrators has recommended the dispute settlement body
request Australia bring its "inconsistent measures ... into conformity with its obligations".

Australia's requirements are aimed at keeping out diseases including fireblight, European
canker, and the insect apple leaf curling midge.

Mr Burke told reporters in Melbourne on Tuesday that Australia would appeal.

"We're happy to take on the world," he said.

"We do well as an exporting nation as a result of our willingness to trade.

"But biosecurity status in Australia is something special and something worth preserving,
and something that we will defend in any international court."

Education Minister Simon Crean, formerly trade minister, told reporters in Adelaide
there were several paths Australia could take in its appeal.

"Australia clearly has options in terms of reaction to that report and I'm sure that
the minister for trade and the minister for agriculture will be assessing those options
in the days to come," he said.

A Senate estimates committee in May heard an appeal would lead to an October hearing
in Geneva and an outcome at the end of November.

The option of reaching a bilateral solution with New Zealand would be open throughout
the appeal process.

Opposition agriculture spokesman John Cobb said Australia must fight hard to keep its
reputation as a fireblight-free nation.

"We have the right to protect our food supplies and environment from exotic diseases
and pests and the coalition in government would be sparing no expense appealing the WTO
ruling," he said.

Apple growers are pleased the appeal has bipartisan support.

Apple and Pear Australia Limited chairman Darral Ashton said the future of agriculture
depended on protecting the nation's disease-free status.

Mr Ashton was hopeful Australia could win.

"The government obviously feels they are on strong ground, otherwise they wouldn't
bother going to appeal," he told AAP.

Australia banned imports of New Zealand apples in the 1920s.

It lifted the outright ban four years ago, but in early 2007 imposed strict conditions
that made New Zealand exports uneconomic.

The existing import conditions will remain in place pending the outcome of the appeal.

In New Zealand, industry leaders and NZ Trade Minister Tim Groser were pleased but
cautious about the WTO ruling, NZPA reported.

Mr Groser said the ruling had been 80 years in the making and was "hugely good news"

for New Zealand in the long term.

Pipfruit New Zealand chief executive Peter Beaven said he expected New Zealand apples
would be on sale in Australia as soon as 2012, despite the appeal.

AAP gd/srp/mm/apm

KEYWORD: APPLES WRAP

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