Australia's top-fruit industry has reacted with disappointment to a decision to allow New Zealand apple imports into Australia.
Biosecurity Australia has released its final Import Risk Analysis, which recommends allowing imports to all states except Western Australia, under strict quarantine conditions.
The federal government committee’s conditions include mandatory checks by Australian quarantine officers in New Zealand, inspections of orchards for symptoms of fire blight and other pests and the use of disinfectants in packhouses.
Darral Ashton, chairman of Apple and Pear Australia, told local media that Biosecurity Australia has not taken into account A&PA’s 420-page submission.
"One of the major things we requested in our technical submission was an additional inspection of orchards," Ashton said.
"Biosecurity have ruled at this stage that's not needed and I think the fact that there's only one inspection for fire blight within about four weeks after blossom between then and harvest is really unacceptable."
Stakeholders have until mid January to appeal.