Self-regulation questioned after apple exports to China suspended

The voluntary suspension of apple exports to China comes unfortunately at a time when New Zealand’s food exports are already under close scrutiny, Labour’s Primary Industries spokesperson Damien O’Connor says.
“We need to look carefully at the self-regulation model used by the pip fruit industry here.
“The Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) is ultimately responsible for certification which is carried out by agents. It is up to the growers themselves to test fruit at the orchard.
“The fungus Neofabraea alba is not one of the pathogens identified as a risk for the Chinese market but Chinese authorities have issued new directives around what is known as post-harvest rot. It has been found on three consignments of New Zealand apples.
“There are a number of questions that need to be answered. One of them is how long the Ministry has been working with Chinese authorities on this and whether they should have moved more quickly?
“MPI is at the centre of the largest amount of export earning income for our country. In order to safe guard New Zealand, it must have the resources and capability to do the job properly.
“Given the botulism botch-up and the ever growing laundry list of muck-ups, the Ministry seems under-resourced,” Damien O’Connor says.

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