Farmers urged to take action

Apple and pear growers need to take action now to protect the future of their industry, according to the chairman of Apple and Pear Australia Ltd (APAL), Darral Ashton, who spoke at the annual APAL Roadshow in Stanthorpe yesterday.
“We are in unprecedented times with a number of significant changes about to take place to the Australian apple and pear industry that will not only affect how we farm, but forever impact our rural communities,” Mr Ashton said.
“With the pending importation of New Zealand apples, it is critical we influence the policy makers who determine the quarantine measures that will be put in place.
“We urge growers and their rural communities to join us in calling for Biosecurity Australia to apply stringent measures to protect the agriculture sector from disease risks associated with New Zealand apples such as fire blight, European canker and leaf curling midge.
Biosecurity Australia is inviting comment on the Draft Non-Regulated Review of New Zealand Apple Imports by July 4.
“This is the last opportunity for growers to influence the future of their industry in such a major way – it is critical we unite and ensure our voice is heard,” Mr Ashton said.
“The commercial reality of imports as defined in the Centre for International Economics (CIE) report suggests the industry will suffer a loss of about $140 million per year. This will be hard enough for the industry to bear, without the additional losses that could come from the introduction of exotic pests and diseases from New Zealand.”
Jon Durham, APAL managing director, outlined a number of opportunities for the apple and pear industry.
“Looking further ahead, there are positive opportunities for our industry as we increase our competitiveness and work hard to establish export market opportunities for Australian apples, particularly the home grown favourite, Pink Lady,” he said.
“The investment in technological improvements means our growers can realise efficiency and productivity gains, as well as continue to deliver world class quality apples.
“We will pull out all stops to encourage shoppers to support local growers by actively choosing to buy Aussie apples which are as good as any in the world.”