An Australian grape-export company was fined more than a million dollars last week for deliberately trying to bypass controls to export table grapes to New Zealand.
The Grape House Pty Ltd pleaded guilty on 3 June to 6 counts of making false representations with the intention of dishonestly influencing a Commonwealth Official. The judge took into account a further 23 related offences when passing sentence on the 6 counts.
The company submitted false or misleading documentation to the department to obtain phytosanitary certification and permits to export the grapes during the 2017 and 2018 export seasons.
The company claimed the grapes intended for export were from a pest-free area, meaning they did not need cold-storage treatment for fruit fly. The grapes were in fact not from a pest-free area and were exported without the required treatment.
The $1,050,000 fine was handed down in Penrith District Court on 8 August.
Australia’s table grape exports were worth more than $248 million last financial year, according to ABARES data.
Deputy Secretary of Biosecurity, Operations and Compliance Justine Saunders said Australia worked with New Zealand authorities on Operation Pimlico.
“This prosecution was successful thanks to the cooperation of many different organisations and individuals over a long period of time,” Ms Saunders said.
“An outbreak of Queensland fruit fly in New Zealand would jeopardise New Zealand’s multi-billion-dollar horticultural industry.
“Damaging Australia’s international trade reputation could negatively impact legitimate exporters, which would significantly affect Australian farmers.
“Under the Export Control Act, people can be given prison terms for breaching our laws. Corporate entities can be fined, civilly prosecuted and have their registrations revoked.”
This matter was prosecuted by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (Cth) after a referral from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
