The Federal Government's policy permitting the importation of bananas from The Philippines does not mean that Philippine exporters have automatic and unfettered access to the Australian market, according to the Australian Banana Growers' Council.
ABGC imports spokesman Len Collins told 440 delegates at the Gold Coast banana congress last week that there was a world of difference between the Government's policy determination and the practical implementation of that policy.
"To gain access to the Australian market, a Philippines exporter will have to propose and then demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) the effectiveness of a multitude of quarantine measures under commercial conditions," Mr Collins said.
"In reducing the pest and disease risk on their export plantations to extremely low levels, these quarantine measures must be 100 percent effective, science based and verifiable."
Mr Collins said AQIS has estimated it would be at least two years and most likely much longer before a suite of risk management measures could be developed and appropriate monitoring and compliance systems could be put in place.
"We understand there will be no move to develop commercial quarantine measures unless a Philippine exporter lodges an import application," he said.
"It is worth noting that all costs associated with establishing the risk management regime are to be borne by the exporter, including the costs of stationing AQIS inspectors on the ground in the Philippines.
"In my view and the view of industry scientific experts, this represents an enormous challenge for Philippine banana exporters who have chronic pest and disease issues, do not possess a quarantine culture and to date have shown little capacity to undertake the scientific work that will be required to develop and establish a reputable suite of quarantine measures.
"The hostile reaction from the Philippines to the news that imports would be permitted subject to phytosanitary measures would also seem to support this view.
"Given the overwhelming pest and disease risks and the highly unlikely prospect of Philippine exporters being able to effectively reduce those pests and diseases to the extremely low levels required for imports to be permitted, one could be forgiven for asking why Biosecurity Australia did not just say no to imports.
"As the national quarantine regulator, it is Biosecurity Australia's job to establish how high the bar is set in order to meet Australia’s acceptable level of protection – it does not presume to judge whether or not the Philippines will be able to jump over the bar."
Mr Collins said the banana industry remained committed to its four-pronged defence strategy involving legal, political, public awareness and scientific elements.
"Our battle has not ended with the conclusion of the formal IRA process and we will continue our campaign against imports on behalf of the Australian industry and consumers."
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