New Zealand’s application to export apples to Australia hit further delays yesterday, as agricultural authorities admitted that they would be producing yet another scientific investigation into the fruit. The revelation is seen by many as a poorly concealed attempt to stall the process and avoid decision making until after the next election in Australia, to be held late this year.
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The decision is an unpopular one in Australia, where many producers are concerned about the domestic industry if imported Kiwi apples bring the devastating fire blight bacteria with them.
At the Australian government, Agriculture and Trade Minister Jim Sutton maintained that Foreign Minister Alexander Downer has “explicitly promised” to give a decision before the election.
