Apple Group action leads to release of IRA report

MEDIA STATEMENT December 1 2005

Apple Group action leads to Australia releasing IRA report

New Zealand apples growers are thrilled that their action campaign has led to draft Import Risk Analysis being released today.

Australia Apple Access Group spokesperson Phil Alison said the group can not make any comment on the report as they are yet to see the draft and will need considerable time to review its contents.

There is no certainty that the report will deliver any of the outcomes New Zealand wants.

Industry body Pipfruit New Zealand has set up a group of experts to examine the report. The group includes MAF officials, scientists, Pipfruit New Zealand representatives and growers. Mr Alison will represent AAAG as part of the group of experts.

“The IRA is a substantial report and it will take some time to go through and a team of experts will begin this process immediately,” Mr Alison said.

AAAG will continue to monitor the situation and will take further actions if the report is not scientifically based.

The government has also stated that WTO action will be undertaken on the same grounds.

“Australia is on notice and if the conclusions are unfair they will be taken to the WTO,” Mr Alison said.

We are warning all commentators of the report to be careful not to take the report at face value as the contents of the previous IRA didn’t become clear until in-depth analysis was undertaken.

“We don’t want to be caught like last time when on the face of it, it looked positive but mitigating measures for the importation of apples into Australia meant the right to access was meaningless”.
We would like to thank our many supporters including the public, the media and politicians.

ENDS

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