24/06/2010
My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Sherry. Is the minister aware of the discovery in the United States of the Chinese fruit fly, Drosophila suzukii, or spotted-wing drosophila? Is he also aware that the Chinese fruit fly is not being considered under the Chinese—
Honourable senators interjecting—
The PRESIDENT —Order! Senator Nash is entitled to be heard in silence. On my right!
Senator Forshaw interjecting—
The PRESIDENT —Senator Forshaw, I am waiting to give Senator Nash the call so she can be heard in silence.
Thank you, Mr President. Is the minister aware of the discovery in the United States of the Chinese fruit fly, D. suzukii, or spotted-wing drosophila? Is he also aware that the Chinese fruit fly is not being considered under the import risk analysis for Chinese apples?
Senator SHERRY (Tasmania) (Assistant Treasurer) —Thank you for your question. Despite the events of the last day, I have been focused on the activities of the Chinese fruit fly. I assume—
Opposition senators interjecting—
The PRESIDENT —Obviously some senators are getting a little bit overexcited about the fact that this is the last question time before we break. It would help if people would save their exuberance until after question time.
Senator SHERRY —I am trying to focus on Drosophila suzukii. This of course relates to the issue of the proposed importation of apples from China. Biosecurity Australia is currently in the process of finalising the import risk analysis for apples from China. The independent risk analysis appeals panel has received appeals and has advised the Director of Animal and Plant Quarantine of its decision to disallow the claims raised.
Opposition senators interjecting—
Mr President, I wish they would take Australia’s biosecurity more seriously. I am well aware of the deeply held concerns of members of the National Party in particular. Members of the Liberal Party opposite me should not be laughing at the seriousness of this threat to Australia’s biosecurity.
There is a science based process underway. I am informed that Drosophila suzukii was not considered in the IRA for apples from China. The reason it was not was that the current information indicates that this pest does not attack fresh apples. That is the latest information. So apples are safe.
Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. Is the minister aware that the import risk analysis that he has just referred to, conducted by Biosecurity Australia into the importation of the apples from China, has failed to adequately examine the risks posed to the Australian apple industry by the Chinese fruit fly and has failed to conduct a comprehensive scientific analysis of the impact of the pest?
Senator SHERRY (Tasmania) (Assistant Treasurer) —I do not believe that Senator Nash was listening to my answer. I did report to the Senate that it was not considered in the IRA for apples from China, and I indicated that, on current information, this pest does not attack fresh apple fruit. That is why it was not considered, apparently.
Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. Given that the view of the apple industry that Biosecurity Australia’s assertion that it does not attack fresh apple fruit is wrong, and given that any increase in major quarantine incursions could devastate the apple industry’s biosecurity and future financial viability, why is the minister ignoring the apple industry and why has he not ensured that Biosecurity Australia stop the clock and do the further scientific investigation required to properly evaluate the risk posed by the Chinese fruit fly?
Senator SHERRY (Tasmania) (Assistant Treasurer) —Australia has an independent import risk analysis. We have long had that both under this government, under Minister Burke, and under the former government—a government of which you were a part. I am sure that the apple and pear growers and any other organisations that are concerned about the activities of the D. suzukii—the fruit fly that we are talking about here—have and will put their concerns and arguments about the need to consider and take into account the activities of this particular fly. These interest groups claim there is a risk and that will be assessed under a process that has long existed.