Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Fielding for a question within my portfolio. It is one that the opposition has not raised very recently. Of course, we take biosecurity very seriously and we need to make sure that Australia remains properly protected from pests and diseases. Strong exports are critical to the future of Australia and we are committed to meeting the highest standards possible to protect Australia’s plant, animal and human biosecurity. I understand that the first shipments of Fuji apples from China have arrived in Australia for retail sale and I can confirm that the advice from relevant biosecurity officers is that all consignments complied with Australia’s import requirements. The process leading up to the importation of Chinese apples included a rigorous risk analysis of the quarantine risks, in-country verification of China’s biosecurity system, and checking that the necessary quarantine measures specified in the final import risk analysis report have been properly implemented. All consignments being exported to Australia are inspected by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service officers in China to ensure that they are free of any pests of quarantine concern.

This importation of fruit from China is not a new development. Pears have been imported from China since 1999. The pests and disease risks for pears from China are very similar to those for apples, and that is why I add that information for your assistance. To date, there have been no pests or disease incursions resulting from this decade-old trade relationship.