Fankhauser Apples Submission
Fankhauser Apples
515 Old Drouin Road, Drouin, Vic 3818
Phone: +61 3 5625 2596
ABN: 87083.625717 ACN: 114 989 936
www.fankhauserapples.com.au
To whom it may concern,
I am a 4th generation apple grower from Drouin in Gippsland, Victoria.
I am writing to you in regards to New Zealand’s request to import apples into Australia. I believe that there are significant reasons to reassess the above application to reduce the likelihood of an outbreak of the any of the three main pests and diseases outlined in the risk assessment.
For over seventy years Australia has had strong, sound scientific evidence and reason to base their refusal to allow fruit to be imported from Fireblight infected countries. What has changed and has that science and reason been wrong for all this time?
The belief that Fireblight, European Canker as well as Leaf Curling Midge will be controlled through a simple set of ‘standard apple growing guidelines’ is unacceptable. The reality is that there is no ‘standard’ to growing an apple or apple tree, only a standard that forms part of a marketing commitment. For example, apples have to meet standards in colour, size and shape for sale to a merchant or wholesaler but the same apple is not necessarily grown with a ‘standard’ orchard practice. Each individual grower has their own interpretations of a ‘standard’ way to grow fruit and that would differ significantly from the apple grower next door. I personally have very different views on how apples should be grown than that of my neighbour, yet we both grow apples that meet the standards set by wholesalers and supermarket chains for the Australian domestic and export markets. We both meet the requirements for quality assurance programs, yet there is significant difference in methods used to control both common and not so common pests and diseases. The level of control is never the same and we would be kidding ourselves if either grower grew fruit under ‘Australian standard orchard practices’.
I am also disappointed that New Zealand is to be given a random inspection of only 600 pieces of fruit in any lot. A lot or a shipment of apples may be well over 1,000,000 pieces of individual fruit and a 600-apple inspection isn’t a satisfactory percentage. This should be changed to perhaps a 2.5% inspection of all cartons. This must also clarify the manor of inspection as most of the apple trash (leaves, sticks and stems) falls to the bottom of cartons or bins during shipment. Apple trash is the most likely source of any disease or pest transmission. The significance of a breach of importation guidelines is also not stated in enough detail.
Would the exporter be banned and for what period of time?
Would blocks or areas be refused export if they were to be found to have an infection or outbreak during the growing season?
Who would the responsible authority be to inspect blocks for export potential?
Would export blocks be monitored during the growing season for Fireblight, canker or midge infections?
Would Australian growers have the ability to access funding to control an outbreak when a Fireblight or European Canker infestation occurred from imported fruit that was not monitored correctly prior to export?
To ensure that Fireblight, European Canker and Leaf Curling Midge are not a threat to the Australian industry, the consideration of fumigation and or chlorine dipping as pre export standards as set in other countries such as Japan, should be investigated to eliminate any chance of bacteria, fungi or pests from establishing in Australia.
The result of an infection from Fireblight in an Australian orchard is almost incomprehensible. We would have no method of control as the chemicals to control Fireblight are not registered for use in Australia. We also believe that our climatic conditions in Australia would encourage Fireblight to spread in some of the worst outbreaks seen anywhere in the world. Our spring and autumn weather is most conducive to bacteria spreading and building in a short period of time. It is not uncommon in Victoria to have four seasons in one day. Cool mornings followed by humid warm 30 degree midday period followed by rain or a thunderstorm then warming back up to a humid 25 degrees for the late afternoon. These conditions would allow Fireblight to thrive and have severe consequences for our industry. To put it in perspective New Zealand has not had a viable pear industry since Fireblight established itself in the early 1920’s.
Australia has many examples of border protection not being diligent and tough enough on pests and disease control. We should not and must not rely on other countries to set our food security and safety levels based on a ‘standard orchard manual’. I again urge you to reconsider the complexities involved in this matter and ensure the safety that the apple and pear industry deserve.
Sincerely.
Brad Fankhauser.
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