New Zealand Apples

I regret the New Zealand Government decision to initiate WTO dispute proceedings against Australia in relation to access for apples.

Australia announced on 27 March 2007 that New Zealand apples would be allowed entry to Australia subject to specific quarantine conditions designed to minimise the risk of pests and diseases entering Australia. New Zealand considers these conditions to be too stringent.

Considerable work has already been done to finalise the procedures to implement access arrangements.

We remain ready to work with New Zealand to resolve this matter.

Australia is committed to the WTO rules-based trading system and we will vigorously defend our science-based quarantine system in this dispute.

The relationship between Australia and New Zealand remains very strong.

New Zealand’s decision to take action in the WTO on this issue needs to be considered in the perspective of the warm and cooperative friendship between our two countries.

The Australia New Zealand Closer Economic Relations Trade Agreement (ANZCERTA) is probably the world’s most comprehensive free trade agreement and will continue to underpin our close working relationship.

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