ENZA Litigation Means Agriculture Minister Must Act

Minister of Agriculture Jim Sutton promised to act on ENZA’s statutory export monopoly if there was a crisis, and the time to act is now, said ACT Agriculture spokesman Gerry Eckhoff.

ENZA has successfully taken out a High Court injunction on the Apple and Pear Exports Permits Committee against issuing any further permits for independent apple exporters, until a hearing on December 18.

“We have corporates litigating and abusing a statutory monopoly to guarantee large profits for themselves while orchardists go to the wall.

‘The increased allocation of individual export licences has been a natural progression and rejection of ENZA’s statutory export monopoly. The gradual liberalisation of export licences has created a ‘snow-ball’ effect as more and more New Zealand orchardists demand choice, freedom and security in fruit sales.

“ENZA’s court action is a desperate attempt by vested interests to secure monopoly profits. The upcoming court battle and freeze on export licences will be devastating for orchardists and their families.

“Jim Sutton said he would not act unless there was a crisis, so I challenge him to display leadership skills and act decisively to save New Zealand’s pipfruit industry by deregulating the industry,” said Gerry Eckhoff.

ENDS

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