Shane Ardern
National party Biosecurity Spokesman

19 December 2006

Import health standard, not as sweet as honey

National’s Biosecurity spokesman Shane Ardern is pleased honey’s import health standard will be heard before the High Court, following the suspension of honey from Australia.

“There have been serious scientific disputes over claims that treatment would ensure Australian honey was safe.

“There are clear breaches in the way our borders are managed.

“An import health standard that lets four tonnes of corn, labelled GE contaminated, through the border is seriously flawed.

“How can we have confidence the same import health standard will stop disease carrying honey into the country?

“Clearly the Auditor General’s damming comments on border control in May 2006 have been ignored.

“Instead the Biosecurity Minister is opening up our borders to diseases which have the potential to destroy our bee and honey industry.

“Officials could not give me an example of any other honey producing country, free from European Foulbrood, importing diseased honey.

“Our natural honey, which is not only highly marketable but also used in medicines around the world, needs to be protected.

“The real irony is that while Jim Anderton appears to have undergone a “green conversion” in the forestry/agricultural industry, he is at the same time risking polluting our natural honey and bee industry.

ENDS

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