❓ WA Parliament question addresses support for the apple industry, focusing on new varieties, productivity, export markets, and concerns about interstate imports. The Minister's response details government assistance programs and their outcomes.
AnsweredQoN 5565Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Minister's speech in the other place on 24 November 2011 regarding apples imported from New Zealand, and also to the article in the
Manjimup-Bridgetown Times
on 28 March 2012 'Apple growers call for Government support', and I ask —
(1) Will the Minister please provide full details (including funds and full time equivalent staff allocated for each of the past three years) of assistance provided to the apple industry in —
(a) developing new apple varieties;
(b) improving productivity; and
(c) developing export markets?
(2) What has been the outcome to date of each of these strategies?
(3) At a State level, how is the allegation in the article that the apple industry is suffering as a result of the import of cheap inferior interstate apple products into Western Australia, including South Australian products fumigated with methyl bromide, being addressed? (please provide full details)
(4) In what year did apple imports from other States/Territories or overseas begin to enter Western Australia?
(5) What statutory changes triggered the commencement of apple imports?
Manjimup-Bridgetown Times
on 28 March 2012 'Apple growers call for Government support', and I ask —
(1) Will the Minister please provide full details (including funds and full time equivalent staff allocated for each of the past three years) of assistance provided to the apple industry in —
(a) developing new apple varieties;
(b) improving productivity; and
(c) developing export markets?
(2) What has been the outcome to date of each of these strategies?
(3) At a State level, how is the allegation in the article that the apple industry is suffering as a result of the import of cheap inferior interstate apple products into Western Australia, including South Australian products fumigated with methyl bromide, being addressed? (please provide full details)
(4) In what year did apple imports from other States/Territories or overseas begin to enter Western Australia?
(5) What statutory changes triggered the commencement of apple imports?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
19 June 2012
Responded by
Minister for Child Protection representing the Minister for Agriculture and Food
Response time
35 days
(1)(a) The Australian National Apple Breeding Program (ANABP) is managed by the Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia (DAFWA). The breeding project is based at the Manjimup Horticultural Research Institute. The costs are shown in Table 1(a) [See tabled paper no.]
The program has been successful in breeding the internationally renowned Cripps Pink and Cripps Red varieties, which account for 33 per cent and 9 per cent of Western Australian apple production respectively.
(b) DAFWA provides support to the National Future Orchards 2012 program, which provides technical assistance to growers seeking to intensify production systems through the use of dwarf and semi-dwarf rootstocks. Intensification leads to increased yields, lower production costs and optimisation of land and water.
DAFWA provides support for the reduction of chemical input by the promotion of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). These IPM practices are supported by the weekly seasonal bulletin Orchard Alert issued by DAFWA, to advise growers on pest and disease issues in real time. It is the only service of this kind in Australia. The costs of these activities are shown in Table 1(b) [see tabled paper no.]
(c) In 2009 DAFWA took part in a Horticulture Australia Ltd funded project investigating options for bulk bin exports of apples to the United Kingdom (UK). Instead of being packed into cartons in Australia, the fruit was shipped in bulk bins to the UK where it was then packed into cartons. This practice has been widely adopted and is now commonly used for exports of apples.
DAFWA has been conducting disinfestation trials for Eucalyptus weevils in Pink Lady
TM
apples for export markets in Europe. This local insect which only seeks shelter in apples is considered a pest by importing quarantine authorities. Its detection could lead to the rejection of entire export shipments. The cost of this work is shown in Table 1(c) [see tabled paper no.]
(2)(a) Breeding Activities
The last three years has seen DAFWA work closely with industry, identifying and testing leading selections of apples for commercial release. Industry is supportive of the breeding work, recognising the need to grow unique varieties to improve prices and the need to plant new varieties on high density planting systems that will lower the unit costs of production.
(b) Improving Productivity
The removal of barriers to entry of plant material from interstate will assist local apple growers access suitable planting material from the eastern states to enable them to intensify their production systems. Over the last three years, 60 fruit growers have taken part in IPM workshops. Since this program was initiated in 2003, over 120 WA growers have been issued with a certificate of attendance. Growers are adopting a lower chemical inputs approach in their orchards. In an evaluation survey of Orchard Alert, 76 per cent of respondents indicated they had changed their practices in response to the information supplied by DAFWA.
(c) Export development
Whilst export levels are still low compared to a decade ago, the industry has formed an export development committee to investigate export opportunities. DAFWA is supporting this initiative, investigating the costs of bulk bin shipments to new markets. Bulk bins are now the preferred method of international export for most growers exporting fruit.
Trials demonstrated the efficacy of ethyl formate in killing Eucalyptus weevil on Pink Lady
TM
apples and a new delivery technique was shown to be cost effective. Trial export shipments were successful. Use registration of the treatment is now being pursued by industry with support from DAFWA.
(3) Australian and international trade agreements prevent WA from blocking fruit imports, unless the importation poses a demonstrable biosecurity risk to the State. Apple imports are permitted from certain locations under specific biosecurity conditions.
DAFWA staff have been informed by industry that Gala
TM
apples from South Australia are leading to reduced prices for WA apple growers and these claims are currently being investigated. Local industries are supported by State programs such as "Buy West Eat Best".
(4) Apple imports were permitted into WA from other States/Territories and certain overseas suppliers in 2011.
(5) This change was triggered by an amendment to the Plant Diseases Regulations 1989 to revoke the restrictions for the disease "apple scab".
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
The program has been successful in breeding the internationally renowned Cripps Pink and Cripps Red varieties, which account for 33 per cent and 9 per cent of Western Australian apple production respectively.
(b) DAFWA provides support to the National Future Orchards 2012 program, which provides technical assistance to growers seeking to intensify production systems through the use of dwarf and semi-dwarf rootstocks. Intensification leads to increased yields, lower production costs and optimisation of land and water.
DAFWA provides support for the reduction of chemical input by the promotion of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). These IPM practices are supported by the weekly seasonal bulletin Orchard Alert issued by DAFWA, to advise growers on pest and disease issues in real time. It is the only service of this kind in Australia. The costs of these activities are shown in Table 1(b) [see tabled paper no.]
(c) In 2009 DAFWA took part in a Horticulture Australia Ltd funded project investigating options for bulk bin exports of apples to the United Kingdom (UK). Instead of being packed into cartons in Australia, the fruit was shipped in bulk bins to the UK where it was then packed into cartons. This practice has been widely adopted and is now commonly used for exports of apples.
DAFWA has been conducting disinfestation trials for Eucalyptus weevils in Pink Lady
TM
apples for export markets in Europe. This local insect which only seeks shelter in apples is considered a pest by importing quarantine authorities. Its detection could lead to the rejection of entire export shipments. The cost of this work is shown in Table 1(c) [see tabled paper no.]
(2)(a) Breeding Activities
The last three years has seen DAFWA work closely with industry, identifying and testing leading selections of apples for commercial release. Industry is supportive of the breeding work, recognising the need to grow unique varieties to improve prices and the need to plant new varieties on high density planting systems that will lower the unit costs of production.
(b) Improving Productivity
The removal of barriers to entry of plant material from interstate will assist local apple growers access suitable planting material from the eastern states to enable them to intensify their production systems. Over the last three years, 60 fruit growers have taken part in IPM workshops. Since this program was initiated in 2003, over 120 WA growers have been issued with a certificate of attendance. Growers are adopting a lower chemical inputs approach in their orchards. In an evaluation survey of Orchard Alert, 76 per cent of respondents indicated they had changed their practices in response to the information supplied by DAFWA.
(c) Export development
Whilst export levels are still low compared to a decade ago, the industry has formed an export development committee to investigate export opportunities. DAFWA is supporting this initiative, investigating the costs of bulk bin shipments to new markets. Bulk bins are now the preferred method of international export for most growers exporting fruit.
Trials demonstrated the efficacy of ethyl formate in killing Eucalyptus weevil on Pink Lady
TM
apples and a new delivery technique was shown to be cost effective. Trial export shipments were successful. Use registration of the treatment is now being pursued by industry with support from DAFWA.
(3) Australian and international trade agreements prevent WA from blocking fruit imports, unless the importation poses a demonstrable biosecurity risk to the State. Apple imports are permitted from certain locations under specific biosecurity conditions.
DAFWA staff have been informed by industry that Gala
TM
apples from South Australia are leading to reduced prices for WA apple growers and these claims are currently being investigated. Local industries are supported by State programs such as "Buy West Eat Best".
(4) Apple imports were permitted into WA from other States/Territories and certain overseas suppliers in 2011.
(5) This change was triggered by an amendment to the Plant Diseases Regulations 1989 to revoke the restrictions for the disease "apple scab".
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.