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WHAKATANE - Tighter controls imposed in November by Biosecurity Australia on New Zealand avocado imports to combat a disease remain in place despite scientific checks showing it is not present in New Zealand.
The controls will be costly to New Zealand avocado growers, particularly in the Bay of Plenty, where most of the country's avocados are grown
Among the control measures, avocados with imperfections such as blemishes and wind rub are excluded from the Australian market on the ground they might introduce a fungus to Australia, avocado blight (Sphaceloma perseae).
Until recently the blight was thought to be present in New Zealand avocado orchards.
However, Avocado Industry Council chief executive Alan Thorn said scientific investigations by a third party research organisation and audited by Biosecurity New Zealand and Biosecurity Australia led to the removal of Sphaceloma perseae from the New Zealand pest list on December 21.
Mr Thorn said the original identification of the disease was in error and Biosecurity New Zealand was acting to correct that error.
But he said biosecurity measures imposed on New Zealand avocado exports to Australia because of the perceived blight threat would remain in place until Biosecurity Australia recognised that New Zealand was clear of the blight.
The so-called discovery of the blight in New Zealand was described by the Australia avocado growers' organisation in November as a major threat to their industry leading to Avocados Australia calling for a ban on the importation of New Zealand avocados as an interim measure.
It said it expected the same protection from disease that other countries such as New Zealand were constantly imposing on Australian fruit and vegetables imported into their markets.
- NZPA
