New moves to stop NZ apples entering Australia

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Australia's Coalition Party is confident its proposed new legislation on Kiwi apple imports wouldn't break a World Trade Organisation judgement.

Opposition Agriculture spokesman John Cobb wants to introduce a Bill to the Australian Parliament amending quarantine regulations on New Zealand apples.

He says it wouldn't be a breach of the recent WTO ruling that requires Australia to accept Kiwi apples, as the decision merely said Australia's existing protocols were too tough.

"They did not say that we cannot put inspectors in New Zealand. They did not say we cannot audit the protocol put in place by New Zealand," he says.

Mr Cobb says he's confident his party's proposals would be totally acceptable to the WTO.

He is citing the risk of fireblight to Australia's domestic growers and the need for them to be protected.

"To expect us to simply accept New Zealand's word on everything, friendship aside, is not realistic. We do have the right to use acceptable scientific protocols," he says.

Mr Cobb says if the Coalition was in Government it'd take a similar approach.

- Newstalk ZB