Wednesday 8th Dec 1999
Owen Jennings
Media Release -- Economy

ACT MP Owen Jennings today said he wants the independent committee to handle apple export permits under the new pipfruit restructing legislation up and running as soon as possible.

"Under the new legislation the committee was supposed to be operational by November 8. We are now well past that deadline and growers want answers.

'I have written to the Minister, who still has responsibility in this matter until the new Labour/Alliance coalition Minister is sworn in, and sought information on what is happening. The new consents process ought to be up and working with participants able to obtain a speedy response to applications. Reports that I have received suggest that parties opposing the consents process are either deliberately or inadvertently frustrating and delaying the establishment and smooth running of the new process.

'Parliament expects those involved to observe the spirit and the letter of the new law. It was the expectation of the Government and the opposition that the new system would be up and running quickly and fairly.

'Reports of interference, delays and frustration in the independent consents process must be investigated by Parliament and action taken.

"I am concerned that Labour seems to be taking a 'wait and see' approach to this issue. Growers cannot afford to wait for this committee to be established. The new process should be in place now," said Owen Jennings.

For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at act@parliament.govt.nz.

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