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Ban Filipino bananas: growers
17 Jun 2004
A total ban on banana imports from the Philippines is the only way to stop exotic diseases entering Australia and decimating the local industry, says the Australian Banana Growers' Council. Chairman Len Collins says Biosecurity Australia has still got it wrong despite issuing an addendum to its draft import risk analysis. This has been released after BA found some of the calculations in its original IRA were incorrect.
Under the new regulations, Filipino banana imports will only be accepted if plantations are inspected weekly and shown to be free of disease symptoms. All bananas will have to be washed and treated with insecticides, and there will be inspections before the fruit leaves the Philippines and when it arrives in Australia.
Mr Collins said growers will continue to fight "scientifically, legally and politically" until the imports are banned. BA's addendum still hasn't addressed issues growers are unhappy with, he stated, and "the Philippines is being left in charge of Australia's quarantine".
Tradingroom.com.au, 16/6/04.
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