The Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association said today it had appealed to federal agriculture minister Senator Ludwig, his colleagues and the Tasmanian Government not to allow fresh potatoes to be imported from New Zealand for processing because of the very real risk of diseases being introduced and ruining the local industry.
Of real concern is the Tomato-potato psylllid and a disease known as zebra chip, both of which occur throughout the crop in New Zealand. They are easily transmitted.
The TFGA says that if these diseases reach Tasmania through the inadequate biosecurity measures that have delivered that recommendation to the minister, the Tasmanian industry will be ruined.
Chief executive Jan Davis said Tasmanian farmers had pleaded with Senator Ludwig not to allow the imports on scientific, economic and ethical grounds.
“At stake is a Tasmanian industry worth $110 million to 300 growers,” she said. “Even without this threat they face a fragile future because of price cuts and reduced tonnages being secured by the processors from Tasmanian growers.
“Processors are cutting costs. They are looking to cheaper imported potatoes, such as those from NZ.
“If our potatoes, the best on the world, are contaminated by the NZ diseases, not only will the local industry collapse, the Tasmanian economy will be enormously impacted,” Ms Davis said.
“Retailers like Coles and Woolworths will capitalise on any changes to quarantine measures to bring their prices down. Their relentless pursuit to impose cheap food prices is placing unsustainable pressure on Tasmanian potato growers, as processors are forced to secure cheaper NZ potato sources.
“This is all down to the supermarket prices war, which they assured us would not affect Australian growers. That is clearly untrue. Prices are down, now they want to import potatoes instead of using ours. They may well carry diseases that will wipe us out.”
• Christine Milne: Minister Ludwig must intervene and restore common sense on biosecurity
Minister Ludwig urgently needs to address the crisis facing Australia’s biosecurity system. His Department must reconsider the green light it has given to the importation of fresh New Zealand potatoes, The Australian Greens today.
“I have been warning against fresh potato imports from New Zealand ever since they were proposed because of the unacceptably high level of risk posed by the tomato-potato psyllid, a pest not found in Australia, and one that has caused hundreds of millions of dollars of damage to the New Zealand potato industry.
“In August 2010 (here) when it became clear that the federal department was going to allow such imports I called for Tasmania to act to protect our potato growers.
“Now industry has justifiable fears based on evidence that the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is ignoring new scientific evidence on the transmission of tomato-potato psyllid – which means an even higher risk of the pest establishing in Australia if these imports go ahead.
“Little wonder other countries such as South Korea have recently banned the importation of fresh potatoes from countries that have tomato-potato psyllid because of the magnitude of threat it poses to local primary industry.
“What is most troubling about this decision by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is that it’s not an isolated case.”
“In fact in a short space of time the ginger, pineapple, apple and pear, banana, honey, vegetable and now potato and tomato industries have all lodged objections regarding the scientific rigour and lack of transparency regarding the Import Risk Analyses being carried out by DAFF.
“As a result we’ve seen a parade of senate inquiries into Australia’s biosecurity provisions, all highlighting the same issue, and following on the heels of bungles relating to the introduction of myrtle rust, Asian honeybee and of course the equine influenza disaster.”
“What is absolutely clear now is that Australia’s primary industries simply do not have any faith in DAFF’s ability to carry out its core biosecurity functions, and the Minister must step in to restore transparency and trust. He must immediately instigate a full review of DAFF’s Import Risk Analysis process, and ensure the Department does not make any decisions relating to importation while that review is undertaken.
“Australia is incredibly fortunate in being free of many devastating pests and diseases that other countries have to confront. Out horticultural industries alone are worth $10 billion to the economy. It is vital that our growers and the public have full confidence that DAFF is carrying out rigorous and objective scientific assessments with regard to potential importation risks, and it is vital that decisions relating to these matters are transparent and allow for genuine consultation with industry.
“Instead we have repeated conflict between a wide range of primary industry groups and DAFF. You have to ask, what clearer signal does Minister Ludwig need that it’s time to act?”
