Australian decision on NZ apples expected within weeks

Australia has promised a decision within weeks on whether it will accept New Zealand apples, says Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Phil Goff.

After talks with Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer in Queensland, Goff said that a long-awaited import risk analysis by Biosecurity Australia on New Zealand apples would be released in "weeks" rather than months.

"Alexander Downer confirmed this weekend that the analysis would be released 'soon' and that the decision made on it would be science-based," Goff said.

"That is good news. After 84 years of Australia banning imported New Zealand apples, and 19 years of lobbying by New Zealand for access, patience has been wearing thin."

Nearly 600 orchardists rallied in Parliament's grounds last month over the issue. Protesters said the Government had not done enough and its move to simply list the transtasman apple dispute with a committee of the World Trade Organisation was insufficient.

Pipfruit growers have been urging the Government to take a case against Australia to the WTO.

Australia has barred New Zealand apples since 1921 because of fears the disease fireblight would be transmitted to its trees. However, the WTO's appellate body has previously ruled that the chances of mature apples carrying fireblight was negligible.

Goff said a science-based decision would go New Zealand's way.

"There is no evidence that fireblight disease can be spread by mature apples in commercial trade."

New Zealand's case was strengthened by a WTO compliance panel finding against Japanese restrictions on United States apples in June.

Goff said New Zealand's action of taking the case to a WTO plant health committee last month had also added momentum.

"These recent developments strengthen our case further, and I am confident that we will reverse 84 years of history and soon be able to give Australian consumers the benefit of access to our top-quality apples."

Goff said the quickest way to get action was through bilateral talks.

National has previously said it would invoke the World Trade Organisation dispute resolution process.

Goff did not rule this out.

"Should there be further unjustifiable delay, New Zealand is prepared to take the matter through the WTO disputes process though this itself would entail further delay."

- NZPA