Impending Australian feud over New Zealand potato imports

A bitter feud over plans to import potatoes from New Zealand is escalating, with growers accusing Australia's biosecurity body of fudging the science and lacking the knowledge to prevent a major pest outbreak.

Australian growers are convinced a devastating pest disease known as "zebra chip"could cost them millions in destroyed crops if the federal government lifts a ban on potato imports from across the Tasman.

But the department rejects this, pointing to its track record on managing biosecurity risks and assuring farmers it has the best available scientists conducting Import Risk Assessments.