24 Aug 2011

NZ apples on sale in Australia

2:56 pm on 24 August 2011

New Zealand apples are now on sale in Australia for the first time since 1921.

Biosecurity Australia cleared the way for New Zealand apple imports last week, following a World Trade Organisation ruling that fears of the apples carrying the disease fire blight were scientifically invalid.

Small volumes of apples have been flown to Australia after being cleared by the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service at the weekend.

New Zealand exporters are playing the move down, not wanting to attract opposition to the change.

Late attempts to block the imports are underway in Australia, with Independent Senator Nick Xenophon drafting a private member's bill to give the Parliament power to override biosecurity officials.

New Zealand Trade Minister Tim Groser says the bill is a political stunt and does not have a chance of success.