From: ian@wiliprintshepparton.com.au [mailto:ian@willprintshepparton.com.au]
Sent: Tuesday, 28 June 2011 3:45 PM
To: BA - Plant Biosecurity Contact
Subject: Apples from New Zealand
THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE
BIOSECURITY AUSTRALIA
28th June, 2011
We are a printing business in Shepparton, north central Victoria, and as you would be aware this is in the heart of an intense fruit growing area.
This letter is to convey our deep concern over the current proposal to allow apple imports into Australia from New Zealand.
There is no need to go into the facts and figure.s as to what would happen to this industry if Fireblight did get into Australia, you are already quite aware of these, other than to say the devastation would not stop with the growers - that would be the start, the thin edge of the wedge only.
Our company employs 17 people and a large percentage of our business involves, either directly or indirectly, the fruit industry. If this industry was to suffer a downturn, large or small, it would have a profound effect on our sales, which in turn would jeopardise our ability to keep employment at the same level.
We have heard and listened to the arguments from both sides and we are far from convinced that anyone can guarantee 100% that this devastating disease can be kept out of Australia.
This makes the decision quite simple - if there is no guarantee - there should be no thought of even relaxing the current guidelines, let alone opening up the borders for possible destruction and financial ruin of thousands that would be effected by the ruination of one of Australia's most productive food supply regions.
The suggestion that the quarantine measures would be supervised in New Zealand by New Zealand for all exports to Australia - without any Australian input or monitoring - is astounding.
Take into consideration that if Fireblight does get through, who benefits - New Zealand of course - because Australia will require further exports to fill the void left by the destruction of our industry.
Why should the livelihood of thousands of Australians be put at risk for the sake of importing a few suspect apples - of which any supply demands can be met from the local suppliers.
It makes no sense.
Yours sincerely.
IAN & JAN ALMOND
51 Drummond Road, Shepparton, Victoria. 3630
Phone: (03) 5831 6565. Fax: (03) 5821 2816
P.O. Box 6966, Shepparton, Victoria, 3632
Email: ian@willprintshepparton.com.au
Web: http://www.willprintshepparton.com.au
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