Australia's 85-year ban on New Zealand apple imports could be lifted by this time next year, according to Pipfruit New Zealand chairman Ian Palmer.
Palmer was speaking after the NZ government presented formal submissions to Biosecurity Australia, the agency charged with deciding what controls are needed to ensure that fireblight and other apple diseases are kept out of Australia.
A 100-page submission proves chlorine dipping is unnecessary. Biosecurity Australia will now study the submission, said Palmer and "it's highly likely there will be a protocol in place for next year's crop.
"We've always got to be optimistic but if Biosecurity Australia don't accept the science . . . and they don't allow meaningful access then we will have to go to the World Trade Organisation to resolve the dispute.
"We don't believe that path should be necessary but if it is we will take that path." Going through the WTO could delay the process by as long as four years.
Although important, Palmer said an Australian market for New Zealand apples would not be a cure-all for local apple producers. In time the market across the Tasman is estimated to have potential worth of about $20 million a year - a small boost to exports now running at $400m.
However, it would help open up the Japanese and Korean markets, from which New Zealand applies are also excluded on the basis of fireblight.
