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Australia: No room for complacency in strict export market.
Australia
Sunday 17 February 2008
David Minnis, exporter and AHEA deputy Chair, states the number one issue for horticulture in Australia is market access and quarantine.
Ground breaking research into cold treatment for the control of fruit fly, led to the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries allowing citrus exports to be intransit cold treated between 2 – 3°C for 18 -20 days instead of 1°C for 16 days.
David would like to see other countries like China recognize this research, however, stipulated that the industry should not put too much emphasis on China.
Although China is a country with a population of 100 million people , less that 20% can afford citrus, and we are also competing with imports from other southern hemisphere producers.
David also stated that it was important that the Federal Government continued to assist in funding projects that extend the growing areas in Australia which would be accepted by overseas countries as free from fruit fly and other pests such as Fullers Rose Weevil.
The previous Governments $1.33m grant into research for the control of FRW and other devastating pests was a good start.
Having more growing regions declared fruit fly free would enable Australian exporters to be internationally competitive, with saving of around $1000 per container in shipping, clearance and inspections costs, as opposed to citrus from non fruit fly free areas.
The citrus industry has embarked on a significant research project to develop a prescribed systems approach for the control of FRW. The approach relies on field monitoring of FRW numbers, fruit inspections and secure packing and transport, to ensure the absence of FRW.
A systems approach is an extremely practical approach to quarantine control and identifies the most cost – effective management tool for growers and packers.
Ground breaking research into cold treatment for the control of fruit fly, led to the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries allowing citrus exports to be intransit cold treated between 2 – 3°C for 18 -20 days instead of 1°C for 16 days.
David would like to see other countries like China recognize this research, however, stipulated that the industry should not put too much emphasis on China.
Although China is a country with a population of 100 million people , less that 20% can afford citrus, and we are also competing with imports from other southern hemisphere producers.
David also stated that it was important that the Federal Government continued to assist in funding projects that extend the growing areas in Australia which would be accepted by overseas countries as free from fruit fly and other pests such as Fullers Rose Weevil.
The previous Governments $1.33m grant into research for the control of FRW and other devastating pests was a good start.
Having more growing regions declared fruit fly free would enable Australian exporters to be internationally competitive, with saving of around $1000 per container in shipping, clearance and inspections costs, as opposed to citrus from non fruit fly free areas.
The citrus industry has embarked on a significant research project to develop a prescribed systems approach for the control of FRW. The approach relies on field monitoring of FRW numbers, fruit inspections and secure packing and transport, to ensure the absence of FRW.
A systems approach is an extremely practical approach to quarantine control and identifies the most cost – effective management tool for growers and packers.
