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Enquiries: Jeremy Hubble
20 June 2011
SHIRE OF MANJIMUP
Cnr Rose & Brockman Streets
PO Box 1
Manjimup WA 6258
Tel: (08) 9771 7777
Office of the Chief Executive Fax: (08) 9771 7771
Biosecurity Australia
GPO Box 858
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Email: info@manjimup.wa.gov.au
Web: www.manjimup.wa.gov.au I
A.B.N. 36 453 349 691
Dear Sir/Madam,
Submission - Draft report for the non-regulated analysis of existing policy for apples from New Zealand
At the Ordinary Meeting on 16 June 2011, Council resolved to make the following submission in respect of the draft report for the non-regulated analysis of existing policy for apples from New Zealand:
1 - That Council:
- Advise Biosecurity Australia that the potential for damage to Manjimup's local horticultural industry by fire blight, European canker and apple leaf curling midge is significant. The introduction of these pests would cause immediate loss of production and enduring increased input costs to manage the pests. The local apple industry may not be able to sustain such additional input costs especially at a time when the $Aus is high relative to our trading competitors. Any diminution of the apple industry would also compound the current economic challenges for the Manjimup community arising from the recent closure of the timber industry.
- Request Biosecurity Australia provide greater confidence in the compliance checking procedures that they will be undertaking to ensure purported risk management measures are actually undertaken by offshore producers and what likely actions they will take in the event of failure by offshore producers to abide the risk management measures.
- Request Biosecurity Australia outline what assistance they will provide local apple producers to combat fire blight, European canker and apple leaf curling midge in the event of outbreak arising from failure of offshore risk management measures.
CARRIED: 10/0
Please do not hesitate to contact me on (08) 9771 7777 should you have any queries or require additional information.
Jeremy Hubble
Chief Executive Officer
Shire of Manjimup