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Letter published in The Weekly Times 15 Feb 2006
Mr Peter Flaherty
The Editor
The Weekly Times
PO Box 14999
Melbourne City MC VIC 8001
Dear Mr Flaherty
Letter for publication
David Minnis’ comments (WT ‘Opinion’, 1/2/06) in relation to market access to Taiwan for horticulture exports were disappointing.
Mr Minnis chose not to acknowledge the huge amount of work by industry, Biosecurity Australia and other government agencies, including Australia’s representatives in Taipei, since the issue emerged last April.
This work included the provision of substantial and detailed technical information to Taiwan, visits to Taiwan by Australian officials, a visit by Taiwanese officials to Australia, government-to-government representations at the highest levels and almost continuous work on-the-ground in Taipei. No official within the Australian Government has ever taken the Taiwanese market for granted.
We understand and share the frustration of industry that Taiwan has introduced tighter quarantine controls on Australian horticulture exports. We are acutely aware of the serious impact that this is having on some growers. The tighter controls are also being applied by Taiwan to other countries. We have been working hard and continuously since last April on this and similar issues so as to try and achieve the best outcome for Australia and the horticulture industry.
While Mr Minnis unfairly criticises Biosecurity Australia, I note his silence about the important technical work that has seen market access to Taiwan for fruit from the Riverland and Tasmania maintained as well as the development of potential trade for citrus to China and Thailand, Tasmanian cherries to Japan and recognition by Japan of Australia’s fruit-fly area freedom.
Mr Minnis seems to be urging a fast-tracking of various Taiwanese import applications unrelated to the horticulture industry. Biosecurity Australia works vigorously to support Australia’s market access to other countries. We also make every effort to progress the significant number of import applications from other countries as quickly as possible based on the available science and technical information. I can assure your readers that we will not do anything that could compromise the proper scientific assessment of potential quarantine risks to one Australian industry simply to suit the views some others may have about the imperatives of another industry.
Yours sincerely
John Cahill
Chief Executive
7 February 2006