WTO decision “Great News” for NZ Pipfruit Industry

WTO decision “Great News” for New Zealand Pipfruit Industry

Today’s World Trade Organisation decision is great news for New Zealand apple growers.

The WTO appellate body today rejected Japan's appeal of a decision that its quarantine restrictions on apples were inconsistent with WTO requirements. The dispute was brought by the United States and supported by New Zealand.

Pipfruit New Zealand Growers chairman Phil Alison says the WTO decision provides independent support from the highest possible body that mature apples are not a vector of fireblight.

“This is the result we were looking for and it is an extremely positive further step towards a final outcome for New Zealand in regard to our application for access to Australia and for future improvements to our protocol for export to Japan. “The decision is important for New Zealand's access to Australia and we would expect it to enable Australia to quickly move to the release of a revised risk assessment for New Zealand to export to Australia,” Mr Alison said.

PGNZI has worked closely with Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in reaching this WTO decision. The Government’s commitment to the WTO case has been excellent, says Mr Alison.

New Zealand participated as a third party in the WTO proceedings and made substantial submissions to the Panel including key scientific evidence.

“The decision has significant potential economic benefit for New Zealand and its pipfruit industry”

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