Senator Fiona Nash, Deputy Leader of the Nationals in the Senate and Senator Richard Colbeck, Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, have moved to have an inquiry into the importation of apples from China and the Australia-United States cherry trade protocols.
“Recently I wrote to Minister Burke to ask him to support the halting of the IRA process until a comprehensive scientific analysis of the risks posed by the pest can be undertaken. The Coalition strongly believes this to be urgent and necessary.
Senator Nash and Senator Colbeck today moved: “That the following matters be referred to the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee for inquiry and report by 31 July 2010:
- The Import Risk Analysis process for the proposed importation of Chinese apples into Australia, and
- The protocols relating to the Australia – U.S cherry trade.
“The proposed importation of Chinese apples is a matter that needs to be scrutinised and we need to get it right. The Coalition takes this issue seriously unlike the Government.
“The United States cherry trade and the protocols relating to Australia need to be investigated so we can ensure the appropriate processes are in place.
“The inquiry will be working closing with industry bodies and stakeholders, and we look forward to their input into this inquiry, Senator Nash concluded.
There are currently no comments, be the first to post one.