|
|
|
Fruit growers take to the streets over fire blight
23 Jun 2004
Up to 8,000 fruit growers protested in Shepparton yesterday against the importation of New Zealand apples into Australia. The protest, which included mock funerals for the local apple and pear industries, follows a report by Biosecurity Australia which recommended apple imports from NZ could go ahead under strict quarantine measures.
Australian fruit growers fear the imports could bring the fire blight disease, which is not present in orchards here. The disease kills branches and whole trees and exists throughout NZ. But NZ's HortResearch says trees can be protected against it and stringent checking processes before export would make it unlikely that infected apples would be exported.
The Goulburn Valley produces about 85 per cent of Australia's apples and pears. Growers fear the industry could be wiped out if fire blight arrived here, as there's no cure for it.
Tradingroom.com.au, 22/6/04.
|
|
