Shadow Agriculture Minister John Cobb's Private Member's Bill could stop the New Zealand Fire Blight threat
August 3, 2011
Tuesday 2nd August 2011
Coalition’s Parliamentary Motion Could Stop Julia Gillard’s Fire Blight Blitz
Federal Member for Murray Sharman Stone was joined by Shadow Minister for Agriculture John Cobb in Shepparton today, to visit SPC Ardmona, packing sheds and to discuss a Private Members’ Bill that could stop the Gillard Government from introducing the weak measures which would give little protection from New Zealand Fire Blight.
“Australia’s previous robust, science-based quarantine protections must not be watered down. Too much is at stake.” Dr Stone said
“Our pest and disease free status has been hard-won and the Gillard Government’s bid to rubber-stamp New Zealand apples into Australia, without the same checks and balances applied to other countries, sets a dangerous precedent. What will it be next time? Bananas, or pork?” said Dr Stone.
“The Coalition is so concerned with the potential to wipe out our apples and pears, that we have put forward the private members bill, namely the Quarantine Legislation Amendment (Apples) Bill 2011, which with a majority in the parliament could overturn the Gillard Government’s useless measures.
“We hope to have the Greens and Independents join us in passing this bill. So far the environmentalists have been silent on Fire Blight even though bees would be destroyed if we got the disease and we would have to import apples from New Zealand, sprayed with Streptomycin.
“Bio Security Australia has been given a clear message by the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard to let in New Zealand Apples irrespective of the risk.
“At her recent address to the New Zealand Parliament Julia Gillard, told the New Zealand Government their importation of apples would be fast-tracked.
“New Zealand will have less demanding import requirements than China when importing apples.
“Victoria is not allowed to sell apples to Western Australia because of Codling Moth, but apparently New Zealand, with Codling Moth will be allowed to send apples to Western Australia!” Sharman Stone said.
Media Contact: Jonathan Clark 0417 148 110
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