Fireblight report to be released this afternoon

A long-awaited report relating to Australia's ban on New Zealand apples is set to be released today.

Agriculture Minister Jim Anderton has called a press conference this afternoon to follow a meeting with the Australian High Commissioner Allan Hawke.

Officials told NZPA that the meeting concerns the release of a draft import risk analysis (IRA) which they expect to make public at the press conference.

Yesterday, Mr Anderton said he told Mr Hawke that New Zealand was at the end of its tether and patience had run out over the persistent delays holding up release of the report.

New Zealand growers have been battling for more than 80 years to break through an Australian ban on their apples.

Australia says they carry the risk of fireblight, a bacterial disease endemic in New Zealand which has never been reported in Australia.

That is hotly disputed, and New Zealand says ripe export applies do not carry the disease.

They argue the ban is a trade barrier by another name.

Recently the United States won a case in the World Trade Organisation overturning a similar ban on its apples imposed by Japan.

- NZPA