A WA parliamentary question addresses apple labeling regulations, neglected orchard enforcement, and a specific case in Donnybrook. The Minister acknowledges the issues, clarifies existing legislation, and outlines planned actions.

AnsweredQoN 281Legislative Council
Asked
27 June 2001
Portfolio
Agriculture

QuestionView source ↗

(1) Is the legislation requiring Granny Smith apples to be labelled in retail shops as “old season” as from 1 April each year still current? (2) If so, who is required to inspect and report? (3) If so, is it being done? If not, why not? (4) Has the legislation to enforce the removal of neglected orchards been repealed? (5) If so, why? (6) If not, why is it not being enforced? (7) Papers showing an investigation of an orchard in Donnybrook were on the previous minister’s desk for at least two years, and it is now more than four months since the new Government took office.  Will the minister act on this matter, and if so, when? Hon KIM CHANCE

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes.  The Agricultural Products Act 1929 provides for inspection and regulation in relation to the Apple Grading and Packing Code 1990. (2) Officers of Agriculture Western Australia would normally carry out any inspection and reporting that may be required. (3) No inspection program is currently in place.  Agriculture Western Australia will respond to any complaints of non-compliance under existing codes.  All codes under the Act are currently under review as many are no longer in keeping with industry and community needs. (4) The Plant Diseases Act 1914, under which neglected orchards are regulated, remains in place. (5) Not applicable. (6) The provisions of the Act are being applied.  Approximately 50 000 orchard trees and vines have been removed in recent years, and compliance with orchard management standards have been achieved in many other cases. (7) Several orchards at Donnybrook were the subject of removal orders.  An appeal was upheld in relation to parts of one orchard.  Agriculture Western Australia has reassessed the status of the orchards and is finalising recommendations regarding any need for further regulatory action.  Appropriate action will be taken when I have had the opportunity to consider that advice.
(2) If so, who is required to inspect and report? (3) If so, is it being done? If not, why not? (4) Has the legislation to enforce the removal of neglected orchards been repealed? (5) If so, why? (6) If not, why is it not being enforced? (7) Papers showing an investigation of an orchard in Donnybrook were on the previous minister’s desk for at least two years, and it is now more than four months since the new Government took office.  Will the minister act on this matter, and if so, when? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes.  The Agricultural Products Act 1929 provides for inspection and regulation in relation to the Apple Grading and Packing Code 1990. (2) Officers of Agriculture Western Australia would normally carry out any inspection and reporting that may be required. (3) No inspection program is currently in place.  Agriculture Western Australia will respond to any complaints of non-compliance under existing codes.  All codes under the Act are currently under review as many are no longer in keeping with industry and community needs. (4) The Plant Diseases Act 1914, under which neglected orchards are regulated, remains in place. (5) Not applicable. (6) The provisions of the Act are being applied.  Approximately 50 000 orchard trees and vines have been removed in recent years, and compliance with orchard management standards have been achieved in many other cases. (7) Several orchards at Donnybrook were the subject of removal orders.  An appeal was upheld in relation to parts of one orchard.  Agriculture Western Australia has reassessed the status of the orchards and is finalising recommendations regarding any need for further regulatory action.  Appropriate action will be taken when I have had the opportunity to consider that advice.
(3) If so, is it being done? If not, why not? (4) Has the legislation to enforce the removal of neglected orchards been repealed? (5) If so, why? (6) If not, why is it not being enforced? (7) Papers showing an investigation of an orchard in Donnybrook were on the previous minister’s desk for at least two years, and it is now more than four months since the new Government took office.  Will the minister act on this matter, and if so, when? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes.  The Agricultural Products Act 1929 provides for inspection and regulation in relation to the Apple Grading and Packing Code 1990. (2) Officers of Agriculture Western Australia would normally carry out any inspection and reporting that may be required. (3) No inspection program is currently in place.  Agriculture Western Australia will respond to any complaints of non-compliance under existing codes.  All codes under the Act are currently under review as many are no longer in keeping with industry and community needs. (4) The Plant Diseases Act 1914, under which neglected orchards are regulated, remains in place. (5) Not applicable. (6) The provisions of the Act are being applied.  Approximately 50 000 orchard trees and vines have been removed in recent years, and compliance with orchard management standards have been achieved in many other cases. (7) Several orchards at Donnybrook were the subject of removal orders.  An appeal was upheld in relation to parts of one orchard.  Agriculture Western Australia has reassessed the status of the orchards and is finalising recommendations regarding any need for further regulatory action.  Appropriate action will be taken when I have had the opportunity to consider that advice.
(4) Has the legislation to enforce the removal of neglected orchards been repealed? (5) If so, why? (6) If not, why is it not being enforced? (7) Papers showing an investigation of an orchard in Donnybrook were on the previous minister’s desk for at least two years, and it is now more than four months since the new Government took office.  Will the minister act on this matter, and if so, when? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes.  The Agricultural Products Act 1929 provides for inspection and regulation in relation to the Apple Grading and Packing Code 1990. (2) Officers of Agriculture Western Australia would normally carry out any inspection and reporting that may be required. (3) No inspection program is currently in place.  Agriculture Western Australia will respond to any complaints of non-compliance under existing codes.  All codes under the Act are currently under review as many are no longer in keeping with industry and community needs. (4) The Plant Diseases Act 1914, under which neglected orchards are regulated, remains in place. (5) Not applicable. (6) The provisions of the Act are being applied.  Approximately 50 000 orchard trees and vines have been removed in recent years, and compliance with orchard management standards have been achieved in many other cases. (7) Several orchards at Donnybrook were the subject of removal orders.  An appeal was upheld in relation to parts of one orchard.  Agriculture Western Australia has reassessed the status of the orchards and is finalising recommendations regarding any need for further regulatory action.  Appropriate action will be taken when I have had the opportunity to consider that advice.
(5) If so, why? (6) If not, why is it not being enforced? (7) Papers showing an investigation of an orchard in Donnybrook were on the previous minister’s desk for at least two years, and it is now more than four months since the new Government took office.  Will the minister act on this matter, and if so, when? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes.  The Agricultural Products Act 1929 provides for inspection and regulation in relation to the Apple Grading and Packing Code 1990. (2) Officers of Agriculture Western Australia would normally carry out any inspection and reporting that may be required. (3) No inspection program is currently in place.  Agriculture Western Australia will respond to any complaints of non-compliance under existing codes.  All codes under the Act are currently under review as many are no longer in keeping with industry and community needs. (4) The Plant Diseases Act 1914, under which neglected orchards are regulated, remains in place. (5) Not applicable. (6) The provisions of the Act are being applied.  Approximately 50 000 orchard trees and vines have been removed in recent years, and compliance with orchard management standards have been achieved in many other cases. (7) Several orchards at Donnybrook were the subject of removal orders.  An appeal was upheld in relation to parts of one orchard.  Agriculture Western Australia has reassessed the status of the orchards and is finalising recommendations regarding any need for further regulatory action.  Appropriate action will be taken when I have had the opportunity to consider that advice.
(6) If not, why is it not being enforced? (7) Papers showing an investigation of an orchard in Donnybrook were on the previous minister’s desk for at least two years, and it is now more than four months since the new Government took office.  Will the minister act on this matter, and if so, when? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes.  The Agricultural Products Act 1929 provides for inspection and regulation in relation to the Apple Grading and Packing Code 1990. (2) Officers of Agriculture Western Australia would normally carry out any inspection and reporting that may be required. (3) No inspection program is currently in place.  Agriculture Western Australia will respond to any complaints of non-compliance under existing codes.  All codes under the Act are currently under review as many are no longer in keeping with industry and community needs. (4) The Plant Diseases Act 1914, under which neglected orchards are regulated, remains in place. (5) Not applicable. (6) The provisions of the Act are being applied.  Approximately 50 000 orchard trees and vines have been removed in recent years, and compliance with orchard management standards have been achieved in many other cases. (7) Several orchards at Donnybrook were the subject of removal orders.  An appeal was upheld in relation to parts of one orchard.  Agriculture Western Australia has reassessed the status of the orchards and is finalising recommendations regarding any need for further regulatory action.  Appropriate action will be taken when I have had the opportunity to consider that advice.
(7) Papers showing an investigation of an orchard in Donnybrook were on the previous minister’s desk for at least two years, and it is now more than four months since the new Government took office.  Will the minister act on this matter, and if so, when? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes.  The Agricultural Products Act 1929 provides for inspection and regulation in relation to the Apple Grading and Packing Code 1990. (2) Officers of Agriculture Western Australia would normally carry out any inspection and reporting that may be required. (3) No inspection program is currently in place.  Agriculture Western Australia will respond to any complaints of non-compliance under existing codes.  All codes under the Act are currently under review as many are no longer in keeping with industry and community needs. (4) The Plant Diseases Act 1914, under which neglected orchards are regulated, remains in place. (5) Not applicable. (6) The provisions of the Act are being applied.  Approximately 50 000 orchard trees and vines have been removed in recent years, and compliance with orchard management standards have been achieved in many other cases. (7) Several orchards at Donnybrook were the subject of removal orders.  An appeal was upheld in relation to parts of one orchard.  Agriculture Western Australia has reassessed the status of the orchards and is finalising recommendations regarding any need for further regulatory action.  Appropriate action will be taken when I have had the opportunity to consider that advice.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes.  The Agricultural Products Act 1929 provides for inspection and regulation in relation to the Apple Grading and Packing Code 1990. (2) Officers of Agriculture Western Australia would normally carry out any inspection and reporting that may be required. (3) No inspection program is currently in place.  Agriculture Western Australia will respond to any complaints of non-compliance under existing codes.  All codes under the Act are currently under review as many are no longer in keeping with industry and community needs. (4) The Plant Diseases Act 1914, under which neglected orchards are regulated, remains in place. (5) Not applicable. (6) The provisions of the Act are being applied.  Approximately 50 000 orchard trees and vines have been removed in recent years, and compliance with orchard management standards have been achieved in many other cases. (7) Several orchards at Donnybrook were the subject of removal orders.  An appeal was upheld in relation to parts of one orchard.  Agriculture Western Australia has reassessed the status of the orchards and is finalising recommendations regarding any need for further regulatory action.  Appropriate action will be taken when I have had the opportunity to consider that advice.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Yes.  The Agricultural Products Act 1929 provides for inspection and regulation in relation to the Apple Grading and Packing Code 1990. (2) Officers of Agriculture Western Australia would normally carry out any inspection and reporting that may be required. (3) No inspection program is currently in place.  Agriculture Western Australia will respond to any complaints of non-compliance under existing codes.  All codes under the Act are currently under review as many are no longer in keeping with industry and community needs. (4) The Plant Diseases Act 1914, under which neglected orchards are regulated, remains in place. (5) Not applicable. (6) The provisions of the Act are being applied.  Approximately 50 000 orchard trees and vines have been removed in recent years, and compliance with orchard management standards have been achieved in many other cases. (7) Several orchards at Donnybrook were the subject of removal orders.  An appeal was upheld in relation to parts of one orchard.  Agriculture Western Australia has reassessed the status of the orchards and is finalising recommendations regarding any need for further regulatory action.  Appropriate action will be taken when I have had the opportunity to consider that advice.
(1) Yes.  The Agricultural Products Act 1929 provides for inspection and regulation in relation to the Apple Grading and Packing Code 1990. (2) Officers of Agriculture Western Australia would normally carry out any inspection and reporting that may be required. (3) No inspection program is currently in place.  Agriculture Western Australia will respond to any complaints of non-compliance under existing codes.  All codes under the Act are currently under review as many are no longer in keeping with industry and community needs. (4) The Plant Diseases Act 1914, under which neglected orchards are regulated, remains in place. (5) Not applicable. (6) The provisions of the Act are being applied.  Approximately 50 000 orchard trees and vines have been removed in recent years, and compliance with orchard management standards have been achieved in many other cases. (7) Several orchards at Donnybrook were the subject of removal orders.  An appeal was upheld in relation to parts of one orchard.  Agriculture Western Australia has reassessed the status of the orchards and is finalising recommendations regarding any need for further regulatory action.  Appropriate action will be taken when I have had the opportunity to consider that advice.
(2) Officers of Agriculture Western Australia would normally carry out any inspection and reporting that may be required. (3) No inspection program is currently in place.  Agriculture Western Australia will respond to any complaints of non-compliance under existing codes.  All codes under the Act are currently under review as many are no longer in keeping with industry and community needs. (4) The Plant Diseases Act 1914, under which neglected orchards are regulated, remains in place. (5) Not applicable. (6) The provisions of the Act are being applied.  Approximately 50 000 orchard trees and vines have been removed in recent years, and compliance with orchard management standards have been achieved in many other cases. (7) Several orchards at Donnybrook were the subject of removal orders.  An appeal was upheld in relation to parts of one orchard.  Agriculture Western Australia has reassessed the status of the orchards and is finalising recommendations regarding any need for further regulatory action.  Appropriate action will be taken when I have had the opportunity to consider that advice.
(3) No inspection program is currently in place.  Agriculture Western Australia will respond to any complaints of non-compliance under existing codes.  All codes under the Act are currently under review as many are no longer in keeping with industry and community needs. (4) The Plant Diseases Act 1914, under which neglected orchards are regulated, remains in place. (5) Not applicable. (6) The provisions of the Act are being applied.  Approximately 50 000 orchard trees and vines have been removed in recent years, and compliance with orchard management standards have been achieved in many other cases. (7) Several orchards at Donnybrook were the subject of removal orders.  An appeal was upheld in relation to parts of one orchard.  Agriculture Western Australia has reassessed the status of the orchards and is finalising recommendations regarding any need for further regulatory action.  Appropriate action will be taken when I have had the opportunity to consider that advice.
(4) The Plant Diseases Act 1914, under which neglected orchards are regulated, remains in place. (5) Not applicable. (6) The provisions of the Act are being applied.  Approximately 50 000 orchard trees and vines have been removed in recent years, and compliance with orchard management standards have been achieved in many other cases. (7) Several orchards at Donnybrook were the subject of removal orders.  An appeal was upheld in relation to parts of one orchard.  Agriculture Western Australia has reassessed the status of the orchards and is finalising recommendations regarding any need for further regulatory action.  Appropriate action will be taken when I have had the opportunity to consider that advice.
(5) Not applicable. (6) The provisions of the Act are being applied.  Approximately 50 000 orchard trees and vines have been removed in recent years, and compliance with orchard management standards have been achieved in many other cases. (7) Several orchards at Donnybrook were the subject of removal orders.  An appeal was upheld in relation to parts of one orchard.  Agriculture Western Australia has reassessed the status of the orchards and is finalising recommendations regarding any need for further regulatory action.  Appropriate action will be taken when I have had the opportunity to consider that advice.
(6) The provisions of the Act are being applied.  Approximately 50 000 orchard trees and vines have been removed in recent years, and compliance with orchard management standards have been achieved in many other cases. (7) Several orchards at Donnybrook were the subject of removal orders.  An appeal was upheld in relation to parts of one orchard.  Agriculture Western Australia has reassessed the status of the orchards and is finalising recommendations regarding any need for further regulatory action.  Appropriate action will be taken when I have had the opportunity to consider that advice.
(7) Several orchards at Donnybrook were the subject of removal orders.  An appeal was upheld in relation to parts of one orchard.  Agriculture Western Australia has reassessed the status of the orchards and is finalising recommendations regarding any need for further regulatory action.  Appropriate action will be taken when I have had the opportunity to consider that advice.

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