Jamie Briggs (Mayo, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

to move:

That this House:

(1)

notes that:

(a)

the World Trade Organisation (WTO) has issued an interim report which makes recommendations to overturn Australia’s 90 year long ban on importing apples from New Zealand; and

(b)

these recommendations will expose the $50 million Adelaide Hills apple and pear industry to greater risk from disease and pests foreign to our shores;

(2)

recognises that:

(a)

the Australian apple and pear industry generates an annual turnover of approximately $500 million and any likely increase in major quarantine incursions will devastate both the industry’s biosecurity and future financial viability; and

(b)

it is of paramount importance that Australia protects its biosecurity and maintains a disease free apple and pear producing industry; and

(3)

calls on the Government to vigorously defend the integrity of Australia’s science-based quarantine regime and appeal any errors of law in the WTO interim report to the relevant Appellate Body.

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