Angry orchardists all aboard for protest action

More than 350 Hawkes Bay orchardists will head to Parliament in a historic steam locomotive next month to call for a nationwide consumer boycott of Australian fresh fruit and vegetables.

Hastings orchardist Rupert Ryan says he'll be in the front ranks of a crowd of marchers, which should swell to 400-500 people by the time it reaches the steps of Parliament.

The protesters will be joined by orchardists from Nelson, Gisborne, Waikato and Wairarapa. The trip's date remains secret.

The Sharon Lee, the sister train to the famous Kingston Flyer, will leave Hastings railway station pulling six carriages and a caboose. It has been organised by the Australian Access Action Group.

"It's going to be big," Ryan said. "We want to get this thing on their radar screen. We've been too soft for too long."

The orchardists have decided to take direct action because of Australia's refusal to allow New Zealand apples in. The Australians have blocked New Zealand apples for more than 80 years, citing the fear of fireblight.

- NZPA