Craig Foss MP
National Party Associate Agriculture Spokesman

19 September 2006

National would invoke WTO process over apple ban

A National Government would invoke the World Trade Organisation dispute process over Australia’s continued unscientific ban on the import of New Zealand apples, says National’s Associate Agriculture spokesman (Horticulture) Craig Foss.

Mr Foss, the MP for Tukituki, said today during a visit by National Party leader Don Brash to Hawke’s Bay that National was committed to initiating the disputes process.

"National continues to support our apple growers in their campaign for access to the Australian market.

“It has been more than a year since National MPs welcomed the apple protest at Parliament. Another season has been and gone, and there has been no progress other than endless talk by the Labour-led Government.

"The final Australian Import Risk Assessment report is rumoured to be released in a few weeks’ time. Anything other than full and fair access to Australia will be unacceptable.

“If the IRA report is just a continuation of the past 80 years of nonsense from Australia, National will be demanding that the Government stop the talkfests and take action immediately.

"The Aussies play hard, and the WTO rules are there to make sure they play fair. Let's use those rules.”

ENDS

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