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Trip to the grocer a test of patriotism
26 Feb 2004
Shopping for fruit and vegetables will become a test of patriotism now that New Zealand apples and Philippine bananas are available. The Australian Banana Growers' Council has established a hotline, "Save the Aussie Banana", and will launch a multi-million-dollar advertising campaign promoting the local fruit. Australian bananas will also be clearly marked to identify them from imports.
Australian Banana Wholesalers' members are supporting growers in their bid to keep out the foreigners. President Harry Theoharous said that the Australian market is oversupplied 60 per cent of the time, so Australians already have the "best value-for-money product".
Yesterday the Federal Agriculture Minister launched a $300,000 disease and pest awareness campaign. It will be targeted at market gardeners near airports and ports, where diseases and pests are most likely to arrive. Mr Truss also said his department will be looking at the impact of fruit imports on rural communities.
Sydney Morning Herald, 26/2/04.
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