New Zealand apples growers have hit out at government ministers for what they describe as “insults”.

Producers have taken issue with NZ prime minister Helen Clark, following her statement last week that the Australian apple access issue was over.

In protesting at Helen Clark’s visit to the Hastings Grey Power meeting, apple growers snubbed Agriculture Minister Jim Sutton’s address at a Pipfruit New Zealand special general meeting held at the same time in Havelock North.

Australian Apple Action Group spokesman John Bostock said growers have been insulted by the government on two occasions in the last two weeks, from the prime minister’s comments and the refusal by Sutton to meet with growers at the recent protest march in Wellington.

Clark’s comments followed foreign minister Phil Goff’s meeting with his Australian counterpart Alexander Downer over the weekend. Mr Goff has claimed that the issue will be dealt with “soon”

Bostock said: “We want answers - the government doesn’t want this as an election issue, while they are being fooled by their Australian counterparts that this will be resolved soon.”

Apple growers are leading a consumer led boycott against Australian fresh produce.

Mr Bostock said several questions were put to both Ms Clark and Mr Sutton at the meetings in regard to the progress they are making in discussions with their Australian counterparts.

Australia has not set for the release of the draft Import Risk Analysis and there is still a four further steps in the process with no fixed timeframe.

Bostock added: “Prime minister we regret that you may be being naïve - is there something you know that we don’t? Please enlighten us.”

He said that the advice growers had received from Australian advisers was that if they want to gain access for their apples the best chance they have is if the politicians fight for them.

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