MARKUS BITES INTO APPLE ISSUE
14-December-2010
Louise Markus MP, Federal Member for Macquarie, urged local Hawkesbury farmers to voice their concerns to the Labor-Greens alliance Government about the cutbacks and chronic under funding of Australia’s quarantine and bio-security systems which led to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) overturning an Australian ban on the importation of New Zealand apples.
“Australian apples are an important part of the Hawkesbury region, offering employment and business opportunities to many people within our local small business network and it is very important that the concerns of the industry are heard,” said Louise Markus.
“It is also very important to remember that small business is the backbone of our nation’s economy and we need to protect this most vital element of our society as a priority,” Louise Markus said.
The 2008 $1.7 million Beale Review into Australia’s Quarantine and Bio-security systems found Australian border defences were significantly under-resourced, putting Australia’s economy, people and environment at significant risk, with the review recommending an annual investment of $260 million.
“The failure by the Labor-Greens alliance Government to act on the critical advice of the Beale Review and invest in our Quarantine and Biosecurity Agencies is compromising Australia’s border protection quarantine efforts, putting our economy, people and environment at risk, “said Louise Markus.
“We now face the increased risk of fire blight through the import of New Zealand Apples because of Federal Labor’s cutbacks and chronic under funding of Australia’s quarantine and bio-security systems,” said Louise Markus.
In line with the WTO ruling Australia must now renegotiate the import protocols in relation to New Zealand apples which are estimated to take up to 12 months.
“I call on the Labor-Greens alliance Government to provide sufficient resources and skilled Australian scientists to carry out this important new risk assessment to maintain the highest possible import standards necessary to protect Australian products from fire blight,” said Louise Markus.