Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

I present the report of the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Committee on the administration of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Biosecurity Australia and the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service in relation to the final import risk analysis report for apples from New Zealand, together with the Hansard record of proceedings and documents presented to the committee.

Ordered that the report be printed.

I move:

That the Senate take note of the report.

Mr President, in tabling this report, I would like to make a few brief observations. This is a unanimous report, representing the views of all of the members of the committee. This committee has a longstanding interest in the importation of New Zealand apples. This is the committee’s third inquiry into this matter. The first one commenced in November 2000. The committee has grave concerns about the potential impact of the importation of apples from New Zealand on Australia’s competitive edge in the international market. In this inquiry the committee gave particular consideration to the risk of the entry, establishment and spread of fire blight. The committee notes that the proposed protocol for the importation of New Zealand apples is based on the assumption that fruit contaminated with fire blight will be imported into Australia. Despite the claims of Biosecurity Australia, the committee remains to be convinced that the risk of establishment of the disease after the importation of contaminated fruit is ‘low to very low’.

The committee notes that the standard operating procedures currently being developed by New Zealand in consultation with AQIS and Biosecurity Australia are fundamental to containing the risk of fire blight becoming established in Australia. The committee has therefore indicated that it would like to examine the draft operating procedures that will underpin the protocol before they are approved by AQIS. The committee has also indicated that it would like to receive further detail of the scientific evidence and modelling undertaken as part of the IRA process to determine that the risk of establishment of fire blight under the proposed risk mitigation measures is low to very low.

In this inquiry, as in the committee’s previous inquiries, the committee has noted a strong perception within the industry that the risk analysis and appeals processes are not as robust as they could be. In particular the committee notes the limited role played by the Eminent Scientists Group in the apples IRA and appeal processes. The committee notes that these processes have subsequently been revised and that the role of the ESG will be strengthened in future IRA processes. The committee urges AQIS and Biosecurity to draw on the expertise of the Australian apple and pear industry in finalising the protocol for the importation of apples.

Finally, I would like to flag the committee’s intention to consider this matter further once it has received the material it has requested. The committee wishes to satisfy itself that the operating procedures will appropriately address the risks associated with the importation of apples from New Zealand. It is this committee’s clear view that the importation of apples from New Zealand should not commence before the committee has completed its consideration of this matter.

I commend the report to the Senate.