2 December 2005
Parliament Must Unite To End Apple Ban
New Zealand First primary production spokesperson Doug Woolerton is calling on all MPs across all parties to support Jim
Anderton's efforts to end Australia's 84-year ban on imports of New Zealand apples.
"Having secured from the Australian High Commissioner the draft Import Risk Analysis (IRA) report, we must now ensure
that the next steps required in the process to get New Zealand apples accepted in Australia are taken. We must also
ensure that non-tariff barriers are removed.
"The ongoing Australian ban on importation of New Zealand apples, under the pretext of fire blight disease risk, amounts
to unfair trade practices that should be addressed by the World Trade Organisation.
"Australia needs to know that New Zealand is very serious about removing these barriers for our apple growers. The New
Zealand statement must be clear and unified, so Australia is left in no doubt about how strong our intentions are to put
an end to the ban. After all, the Australians could seriously do with some sweet New Zealand fruit right now," concluded
Mr Woolerton.
ENDS