-
Source: Photos.com -
Watch Video
-
Related
Officials in South Australia have set up quarantine measures in apple growing areas over concerns about shipments from New Zealand.
A 90-year ban on the export of New Zealand apples to Australia was lifted last week, but Australian quarantine officers have already rejected a shipment.
Leaf matter and an insect were found in a batch of apples before they left New Zealand, Australia's Department of Agriculture has confirmed.
"This detection shows that Australia's biosecurity officers have the skills to detect pests of potential concern even when present at very low levels and that the stringent import conditions are being rigourously enforced," it said.
It confirmed the problem involved a "small piece of leaf matter and one insect".
However the discovery has sparked biosecurity fears over the Tasman.
The South Australia government has moved to quarantine three areas in the state where they produce the most apples, putting up road blocks with bins for people to dump foreign apples.
The Managing Director of Apollo Apples which had sent the shipment, Bruce Beason, said he was not surprised by the actions of the quarantine officers but felt there had been an over-reaction to the situation.
He said it comes down to scaremongering and if anything the incident shows the quarantine protocols are working as these banned products were picked up before they left New Zealand shores.
Latest NZ News Video
-
ONE News Minute 9am update: May 26 (1:00)
-
Kids cough up $14m for Government (1:50)
-
Education ministry 'barbaric' (1:55)
