PINEAPPLE growers have been told they have 60 days to respond Import Risk Assessment (IRA) following an application by Malaysia to export whole, fresh, de-crowned pineapple fruit to Australia.
Nationals Queensland Senator Ron Boswell said the importation of pineapples from Malaysia, placed the pineapple industry under a similar disease threat that threatened the banana industry (different diseases).
"Fruit Collapse and Bacterial Heat Rot, are diseases that are prevalent in Malaysia that are presently not in Australia. These diseases are contagious, they can infect crops quickly and kills fruit in a matter of days," Sen Boswell said.
"Already the disease has caused significant damage to crops Hawaii and the Philippines."
The IRA presented to Biosecurity Australia and released on on October 19 argues the risk of disease being introduced to Australia is low.
"This will be challenged by the pineapple growers, Sen Boswell said.
"Australian growers have 60 days to respond the draft risk analysis, Biosecurity Australia can then put out a final report after 35 days. A couple of years ago a shipment of de-topped pineapples was imported from the Philippines, they met with strong buyer resistance in the market.
"The pineapple industry has shrunk to about 150 growers, partly due to imports of canned pineapple, assisted by the high dollar. I understand there will be a meeting on Tuesday of scientists and growers and other stakeholders representing the pineapple industry as the Malaysian imports will have to be fought on disease risk."
Sen Boswell said it was his intention to call Biosecurity Australia before a Senate committee to ask them to explain in detail how they intend to prevent any disease or hitchhiking insects entering Australia.
"The Banana industry was successful in keeping Banana's out of Australia, they ran a vigorous campaign that concentrated on gathering the science and challenged bio security evidence and mathematics," Sen Boswell said.
"I will give the pineapple industry all the backup in the Federal Parliament that is needed to expose any disease risks that could threaten their industry."
