A report by Biosecurity Australia on the possible import of Chinese apples into Australia has been pushed back because of a large number of submissions that need to be investigated.
The draft report would have been released this month, according to the Weekly Times, after an assessment of import risks.
New issues facing Biosecurity Australia (BA) from submissions on the report need to be verified, like China’s claim certain diseases don’t exist in the country or are not present in growing regions.
Apple and Pear Australia manager Tony Russell said the industry was very anxious BA check on all possible import risks.
“That should be a part of their protocol - they shouldn't rely on what they're told, they need to verify,” he said.
BA’s John Wilson said the group would use “all available science” to check the veracity of the quarantine concerns.
“We'd look at the latest information available from the quarantine authority of that country and may undertake inspections as well,” he said.
“We'd also look at pest interception data that other countries have from Chinese exports elsewhere.”
Industry figures have called for Biosecurity Australia to involve Food Standards Australia New Zealand in the risk assessment.
Mr Wilson said the release of the draft report would take “some time”.
