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Fireblight: A Matter of Backbone and Sovereignty
by happy jack Monday, Nov 29 2010, 9:01pm
national / environment / other press

A foreign organisation, the World Trade Organisation (WTO) is demanding that Australia open its quarantine doors to the possibility of fireblight disease from imported New Zealand apples. Oz has enforced a ban on NZ apples for decades and as we are aware our local industry is not only able to supply local markets but exports volumes to Asia and other nations. So why the imposition from a foreign 'authority' telling us what to do with our crucial food crops – the answer lies somewhere between a jelly fish and servile mammals without backbones.

Previous to this outrage America demanded that we accept ‘mad cow’ beef imports from US beef growers – needless to say, Oz is free of mad cow and fireblight but clearly not free of spineless, knee-walking politicians and subservient government!

Think before falling for the two party bullshit system at the next election – vote for yourselves, vote for REAL REPRESENTATIVE, independents.

Shame on you gutless wonders in Canberra.

http://tinyurl.com/22wzxq3

COMMENTS

Import nod angers apple growers
by staff report via stan - ABC (Oz) Tuesday, Nov 30 2010, 8:10am

Australian apple growers are disappointed in a World Trade Organisation (WTO) decision regarding New Zealand apple imports.

The imports have been banned since 1921 because of the bacterial disease fireblight.

Three years ago, Australia decided to allow the imports with quarantine conditions but New Zealand growers said the guidelines were too strict.

The WTO found in August that Australia's requirements were trade restrictive and another WTO panel last night upheld the decision.

John Corboy from Apple and Pear Australia says the industry has not given up yet.

"Growers won't take it very well at all, this has been a long-running fight, it's been one that we believe had to be fought and our growers at the moment have more than enough risks to contend with without another one being imposed upon them," he said.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/11/30/3080536.htm