Shipment of NZ import apples rejected

December 2, 2011

August 31, 2011A consignment of imported apples has been rejected by Australian authorities.

South Australian Agriculture Minister Michael O'Brien says two shipments of New Zealand apples have been rejected in the first weeks since imports from across the Tasman started.

"I've been informed by the Apple and Pear Growers' Association of South Australia that two consignments of New Zealand apples have already been knocked back by Australian quarantine officers," he said.

"They were knocked back for the presence of leaf matter and these are the bearers of fire blight."

As well as leaf matter, there was an insect problem.

The federal Department of Agriculture has released a statement confirming rejection of one shipment.

"This detection shows that Australia's biosecurity officers have the skills to detect pests of potential concern even when present at very low levels and that the stringent import conditions are being rigorously enforced," it said.

It confirmed the problem involved a "small piece of leaf matter and one insect".

The Adelaide Hills, Riverland and south-east of South Australia have now been declared off-limits to foreign apples and pears.

South Australia has taken the decision in light of the lifting of the ban on New Zealand apple imports.

Mr O'Brien said the local ban was aimed at protecting local orchards from the risk of disease, not restricting free trade.

We are not singling out any other state or any other country.

Michael O'Brien
"We are just saying 'Here is a blanket ban on the importation of apples and pears into our fruit-growing areas'."

A grower of organic apples says a declaration of quarantine areas in South Australia's apple-growing regions is a great start, but needs to go further.

Chris McColl from Kalangadoo Organic Apples says fire blight still could be spread by birds or insects.

"If they're still selling New Zealand apples in suburban Adelaide, it won't be possible to sort of stop it eventually spreading to the Adelaide Hills or the south-east," he said.

"So it's good the Government's trying to do something, but I think really the apples have got to be stopped from coming into the cities anyway because it will spread."

Ashley Green from Hillview Fruits says the bacterial disease can be carried on nursery plants, so remains a risk.

"It's possible that, you know, an outbreak may happen in Adelaide and somebody brings some infected roses into the area," he said.

Biosecurity Australia said exporters would need to be registered and would have to monitor, spray and prune to guard against fire blight, European canker and apple leaf curling midge.