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Demand for new import inquiry after banana slip
18 Mar 2004
Australian banana growers fighting Filipino imports have called for a new inquiry into the the threat of disease after it was revealed that Biosecurity Australia's risk assessment model contained an error. BA said yesterday the error was in a spreadsheet model used to estimate the risk that Filipino banana imports would introduce exotic pests or diseases. Some of the quarantine measures originally recommended might now need to be reassessed and strengthened.
BA's expert panel will now be asked to decide what changes to the quarantine measures are required. Stakeholders will be given a 60-day timeframe in which to submit comments.
The Australian Banana Growers Council said BA's credibility is "in tatters". Spokesman Len Collins said the error is so significant that a fresh team of experts is now needed to review the science and modelling involved in the import risk analysis.
Australian Financial Review, 18/3/04.
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