Reading through the annual European apple and pear estimates unveiled at Prognosfruit this week, and rounded up with the inclusion of the deliberations of the World Apple and Pear Association (WAPA), I am reminded, at least on paper, how far the entire industry has come in terms of co-operation.

In the 1960s, there was little overall European information except separate national assessments. The UK industry often seemed more concerned with raillery, particularly against the French and their Golden Delicious.

Cox, the British public was then told, was the only variety worth eating, and this mainly referred to our national orchards, even if there was a trickle exported to these shores from New Zealand and South Africa.

No-one had heard of bi-coloured Gala, Braeburn and many others to follow - all of which have subsequently added a far wider dimension to production trends and retail demands. It would have a taken a gigantic leap in imagination to foretell that Chinese Fuji would be competing regularly for shelf space.

This week, however, based on the information coming out of Vilnius, Lithuania, while the language is far more moderated and the crop information is as accurate as its assessors can provide, it still appears that the old problems remain under the surface.

Simplistically, the northern hemisphere wants a clear run into its season and, come April or May, its southern counterpart wants the same.

What is different, however, is that based on statements issued by WAPA this week, it appears to have entered the political arena by its criticism of retailers.

Something that I am aware they share with their Prognosfruit neighbours is frustration that common approved standards, such as those quantified by EurepGAP, no longer seem to be sufficient when meeting MRL specifications.

Just how much leverage this outburst will produce only time will tell, but I have a feeling that any success will be somewhat limited.

The retail giants have their own agenda to win the ongoing battle on the high street, and food safety - as they define it - is one of the more easily defendable positions.

Additionally, despite the fact that the EU apple crop is expected to be 13 per cent lower, the overall impact must have changed with the enlargement of the community.

The reality, I believe, putting aside specific cases of hardship where growers may have lost their crops, such as reports of hail damage in the UK, is that any gaps envisaged will be few and far between.

Requirements for the juice market can normally be met globally, and if prices for fresh do move to a high in some countries, it is often surprising how much more fruit industries suddenly find they can provide.