Mulherin: banana decision “ill advised and just plain wrong”
Published Wednesday, 04 March, 2009 at 03:47 PM
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
Primary Industries and Fisheries Minister Tim Mulherin today said a federal decision to allow bananas to be imported from the Philippines was “ill advised and just plain wrong”.
Mr Mulherin said: “I have telephoned my federal counterpart Tony Burke to register Queensland’s anger at this decision.
“The Queensland Government has consistently opposed the importation of bananas from the Philippines.
“The Queensland Government appealed against the importation of bananas on the basis that the import risk analysis undertaken by Biosecurity Australia failed to properly consider the risks of pests and disease.
“Our appeal was rejected.
“We are being told that bananas imported from the Philippines will be subject to strict quarantine testing for pests and diseases both in the Philippines and Australia.
“I understand the Filipino Government is complaining that those conditions are too strict.
“But that is beside the point ... these bananas should not be imported in the first place.
“The Australian Quarantine Inspection Service needs to know that Queensland will be holding them to account,” Mr Mulherin said.
The Senate has referred the importation of Cavendish bananas from the Philippines’ to the Standing Committee on Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport.
The Department of Primary and Fisheries has also lodged a submission.
Media: Matt Watson 32393120
Mr Mulherin said: “I have telephoned my federal counterpart Tony Burke to register Queensland’s anger at this decision.
“The Queensland Government has consistently opposed the importation of bananas from the Philippines.
“The Queensland Government appealed against the importation of bananas on the basis that the import risk analysis undertaken by Biosecurity Australia failed to properly consider the risks of pests and disease.
“Our appeal was rejected.
“We are being told that bananas imported from the Philippines will be subject to strict quarantine testing for pests and diseases both in the Philippines and Australia.
“I understand the Filipino Government is complaining that those conditions are too strict.
“But that is beside the point ... these bananas should not be imported in the first place.
“The Australian Quarantine Inspection Service needs to know that Queensland will be holding them to account,” Mr Mulherin said.
The Senate has referred the importation of Cavendish bananas from the Philippines’ to the Standing Committee on Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport.
The Department of Primary and Fisheries has also lodged a submission.
Media: Matt Watson 32393120