Australia’s government filed an appeal to a World Trade Organization decision that challenged the nation’s tight restrictions on the import of apples from New Zealand, Australia Broadcasting Co.’s abc.net.au reported.

The WTO ruled in August that the rules were too strict and that Australia’s concerns about the possibility of disease from New Zealand apples were not supported by scientific evidence.

Australia began the ban 90 years ago, but lifted it in 2006. The ban was replaced by strict limits, which New Zealand claimed were unfair.

Australian officials have argued that New Zealand apples could expose Australian crops to European canker, fire blight and apple curling midge, the Australia Network News reported in August.

In anticipation of the market entry some New Zealand apple growers are seeking their own export structure similar to Zespri for the kiwi industry, exporting under one unified brand and exporter., New Zealand newspaper Daily Mail reported earlier this month.

New Zealand growers have estimated that exports of apples to Australia could be worth NZ$50 million (US$ 37.22 million) a year, Agence France Presse reported in August.

Source: www.freshfruitportal.com