John Luxton
National International Trade Spokesperson

8 May 2001

Govt u-turn on deregulation welcomed

National welcomes the Government's decision to deregulate the pip-fruit industry allowing apple and pear growers a choice of exporters, National's International Trade and Negotiations spokesman John Luxton said today. "It is interesting to see the Government take such a u-turn given two years ago in Opposition it said it would not deregulate producer boards.

"Back then the proposed legislation was only ever going to be a 'half-way house' measure but it was the model requested by the industry at the time.

"Seventy percent of the industry now support deregulation. It will give growers more opportunity to sell their produce on a competitive market.

"A deregulated environment should also see increased opportunities for new market development and new investment in this important sector.

"Let's not forget that this is a sector that has already been hit by low international market prices, some costly decisions by monopoly exporter ENZA, and inclement weather over recent years," Mr Luxton said.

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