Pipfruit NZ pleased with new apple standards for resumption of exports to Australia...

Pipfruiit NZ pleased with new apple standards for resumption of exports to Australia...



Pipfruit NZ pleased with new apple standards for resumption of exports to Australia...



Pipfruit New Zealand says new draft import standards for sending apples to Australia are a vast improvement on previous versions.The first since 1921.



Chief executive Peter Beaven says Biosecurity Australia's new set of conditions are much more workable and do not include uneconomic restrictions, such as orchard inspections and putting the fruit through chlorine baths before export.



Australia was forced to review its import risk analysis for New Zealand apples and negotiate a new set of conditions after the World Trade Organisation upheld a decision it made in 2010 that Australia broke international trade rules with its restrictions on importing apples from New Zealand.



It ended a dispute between the two countries dating since 1921, when Australia banned apple imports from New Zealand after the bacterial disease fireblight was found on apples trees in the Auckland region.



Mr Beaven says the revised standards will make access for New Zealand apples much easier and believes the process will be completed later this year with exports beginning in 2012.



The draft import standards are open to public comment for 60 days before a final report is confirmed, he says.



Acknowledgements: © 2011, Radio New Zealand

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A reply to my letter to the NZ Government relating to illegal logging...

Dear Peter,

Thank you for your message regarding timber imports and illegal logging.

I share your concerns over the sale of illegal timber in New Zealand and the government is taking practical steps to do something about it.

Over the next few months we will be conducting an assessment of the practicality of introducing a regulatory requirement for suppliers to produce evidence that wood products are sourced from a legally harvested forest. In addition we will be working to encourage stronger public and private sector awareness and action to help address this problem.

In future the government will require its own departments to seek timber and wood products from legally harvested sources and to take all reasonable steps to ensure that those products are from sustainably managed forests.

In addition, our policy recognises the need to work with other countries to find long term solutions to help stop illegal logging at its source. Currently my officials are drafting a comprehensive strategy for international engagement to help guide this work.

Illegal logging is a complex problem and it will take time and effort to address it. But we are committed to doing that through the goals that we have set ourselves.

For more information on the illegal logging policy you may like to visit: Ministry of Agriculture andd Forestry Website
Yours sincerely

Jim Anderton
Minister of Forestry
M P for Wigram and Leader of the Progressive Party