The way has been cleared for the importation of New Zealand apples to Australia after 90 years of waiting.
Australia today gave the green light for accepting New Zealand apples although growers will have limits placed on them to prevent the spread of diseases such as fire blight and European canker.
Only commercially-mature fruit will be allowed to be imported, under guidelines proposed by the Australian director of Animal and Plant Quarantine.
Fruit will need to be washed by high-pressure water spraying and brushed in the packing house to remove surface contamination of pests and trash such as leaf litter.
The import conditions require that NZ growers be registered to export to Australia and apply in-orchard controls for fire blight, European canker and apple leaf curling midge, including ongoing targeted monitoring, spraying and pruning.
