Senator Fiona Nash, Nationals Senator for New South Wales and Deputy Leader of the Nationals in the Senate has today slammed Minister Sherry, the Minister representing the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke MP in the Senate over his pathetic answer to her questions regarding apple imports from China.
“I questioned the Minister today in regard to the Labor Government’s inaction in this important area and he first appeared amused by my question and then moved on to being disinterested, Senator Nash said.
“My questions and the concerns of the industry are serious. The Federal Government has the responsibility to ensure the proper processes are in place when it comes to biosecurity. The Minister’s disinterest is another example of Labor’s disdain for regional Australia.
“I asked the Minister was he aware that the Chinese fruit fly is not being considered under the Chinese Apples Import Risk Analysis – what was most alarming was he was completely disinterested.
“The IRA conducted by Biosecurity Australia into the importation of 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 and this is squarely with the Labor Government.
“The apple industry is extremely concerned about the Import Risk Analysis process for the proposed importation of apples from China and rightly so. Sadly it appears the Rudd Government and his Minister are the only people who don’t see this as a matter that needs addressing urgently.
“It is beyond me why the Minister has not ensured that Biosecurity Australia use the ‘stop the clock provision’ to make sure that the further scientific investigation required to properly evaluate the risk posed by the Chinese fruit fly is undertaken.
“This is a serious issue being ignored by the Labor party.
“Australian apple and pear industries generate an annual turnover of $500 million and any increase in major quarantine incursions could devastate both the industry’s biosecurity and future financial viability.
“Labor doesn’t understand the needs of regional Australia, never have and it sadly appears never will. A change of Government has never been more vital for regional Australia, Senator Nash concluded.
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