Australia: outcome senate inquiry New Zealand Potato Imports further delayed

Potato growers In Australia have been forced to wait longer for the outcome from an inquiry of the Australian Senate into New Zealand potato imports after the report release date was further delayed.

The Federal Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee which conducted the inquiry on October 24, 2012 announced the report containing findings and possible recommendations would not be released until June 24 this year.

The report was originally to be handed down on November 21, 2012 before then being bumped back to March 20.

The inquiry concerns the biosecurity risks to the Australian potato industry of fresh potatoes imported from New Zealand for processing including French fry and potato chip production.

First witness at the October inquiry and CEO of Potatoes South Australia, Robbie Davis, said she was advised that the Committee intends to continue assessing the risks associated with the importation and quarantine process.

The Federal Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee sought independent specialised advice in relation to the Risk Estimation Matrix and a report, Advice on the risk estimation matrix used by DAFF Biosecurity as part of the Import Risk Analysis process, is being assessed.

"Over the years, industry stakeholder groups (fruit and vegetable growers) have raised concerns about the Risk Estimation Matrix and the way in which DAFF Biosecurity Australia calculates the associated risks,"Ms Davis said.

"The findings of the Senate Committee concerning the importation of fresh ginger from Fiji and fresh pineapple from Malaysia have also been delayed until June 24.

"The Senate Inquiry into the importation of fresh potatoes from New Zealand for processing demonstrates the deep concerns of the Australian industry worth in excess of half a billion dollars.

"This second delay must indicate the seriousness of the Committee's findings to date and the requirement of further time can only mean that a more thorough analysis of the importation process is needed."

Other key witnesses to the potato inquiry were Frank Rovers, chair, Victorian Potato Growers Council;Noel Suckling and Mr Greg Murphy, McCain Grower Group, Ballarat;Peter Hardman, Simplot Australia and Potatoes Tasmania;Ausveg representatives and Biosecurity Australia representatives.

Source: Scoop.co.nz