Another deluge: Chinese apples are coming

Drosophila suzukii hard at work on soft fruit

Fruit growers in Harcourt are concerned about biosecurity threats to the local industry following the Federal Government’s recent approval for apples to be imported from China.

The green light was given following a recommendation by Biosecurity Australia, but growers remain concerned that the threat of infestation by the spotted-wing fruit fly, Drosophila suzukii, a pest present in China, was not included in the original risk analysis.

The species is known as a pest of soft fruits, not hard skinned fruits such as apples and pears, but recent evidence confirms damage to raspberries, cherries, stone fruit, strawberries and blueberries in North America. It has also recently been confirmed to be affecting grapes in North America and is known to damage grapes in Japan.

The Harcourt and District Fruit Growers Association met with the Mayor Philip Schier, Chief Executive Officer Phil Rowland and Calder Ward Councillor Brook Acklom on 23 July to discuss their concerns.

As well as biosecurity threats, Chinese imports could distort market prices, especially if there was dumping of excess fruit, as has been seen in the past with other commodities such as tomatoes.

“Council is committed to assisting local growers to meet this latest challenge and will be working with a range of stakeholders to advocate on their behalf,” said Cr Schier.

“The local agricultural industry is an important part of this Shire and Council will work to support its long-term viability.”

The announcement of the import approval follows 10 years of drought, increasingly frequent bird plagues and other extreme weather patterns.