Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I seek leave to incorporate an additional response to Senator Xenophon's question from Thursday, 18 August 2011 in respect of trade and New Zealand.

Leave granted.

The answer read as follows—

I provide the following additional response to Senator Xenophon's questions without notice from Thursday 18 August 2011.

1. Closer Economic Relations

  a. If New Zealand sought World Trade Organisation authorisation to retaliate in relation to any non-compliance aspect following on from the apples dispute, the WTO s Dispute Settlement Body would only consider the parties' rights under the WTO Agreement.

  b. There is no provision in the ANZCERTA (Australia New Zealand Closer Economic Relations Trade Agreement) that derogates from the parties' rights and obligations under the WTO Agreement.

2. Fire Blight

  a. I am advised that in New Zealand apple producers use two agents as a prophylactic measure for fireblight.

  b. The first is Streptomycin, which is registered by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Chemicals Authority (APVMA) for use in the Australian food chain but would require further registration to be used in horticulture production. Registration processes could be commenced by an applicant at any time.

  c. The second is a biological control called Blossom Bless. I am advised that Blossom Bless, which can also be used in the organic production chain, is as effective as Streptomycin and generally more frequently used than Streptomycin in New Zealand. Blossom Bless is not registered for use in Australia in horticulture production. Registration processes could be commenced by an applicant at any time.

  d. Registration of any pesticide or veterinary chemical is a matter between either a manufacturer or user group and the APVMA.