Fed: Australian grapes at threat from US insect: Katter

AAP General News (Australia)
08-29-2000
Fed: Australian grapes at threat from US insect: Katter

CANBERRA, Aug 29 AAP - Australia's grape industry could come under threat from an American
crop insect because of inept trade restrictions, a Queensland National Party MP said today.

The Member for Kennedy, Bob Katter, said wine and table grapes were at risk because
approval had been given by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) to
import Californian grapes.

Californian vineyards, particularly those in the south, have been devastated by a range
of diseases, with most spread by the insect, the glassy-winged sharpshooter.

Mr Katter, who raised the issue in the joint Liberal-National partyroom today, said
there were at least eight US diseases that could be spread by the sharpshooter if it got
into Australia.

He said while AQIS believed cold storage would kill off the insect during transit,
there was overwhelming scientific evidence suggesting the sharpshooter could survive.

It meant Australia was about to import grapes that could bring in eight diseases against
which local producers had no protection.

"This insect is wiping out Californian grapes, and here we are about to bring it into
Australia," he told AAP.

"Every other country works in a trade paradigm of No, while we work in a paradigm of Yes."

AQIS gave approval for importation earlier this year, but it is now being appealed.

Mr Katter said it appeared every time another country complained at Australia's trade
restrictions, Australia relented.

He said Filipino bananas had been fast-tracked for possible import because the Philippines
had threatened Australian beef exports.

"It shows clearly to me the greatest ineptitude: the fact that we'll bend over when
anyone gets upset, but we won't protect ourselves when we can," he said.

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KEYWORD: GRAPES

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