Australian growers going bananas?

When the stakes are high, expect lobby groups to pull out all the stops.

Sensing perhaps that the Australian government is now more open to the idea of finally letting in Philippine world-class tropical fruits, Aussie banana producers are mounting another spirited lobby and are flexing their financial muscle to keep Philippine fruits from penetrating their captive local market.

Yes to pineapples but no to bananas

Recently, after years of negotiations with Philippine agricultural scientists and quarantine officials, the Australian government finally allowed Dole Philippines to export 8,000 kilograms of fresh pineapples after three successful trial shipments.

Biosecurity Australia (BA), whose role is to assess quarantine risks in animal and plant imports, also allowed the shipments to be fumigated using its proposed methyl bromide treatment to get rid of fruit flies and prolong the fruits’ shelf life.

Moreover, Australia indicated its willingness to consider other fumigation methods such as hydrocyanic acid and adopt equivalent alternative phytosanitary measures.

Even more encouraging, the BA also waived the condition that it will only accept decrowned pineapples which will involve removing outer leaves. The previous requirement of decrowned pineapples was intended to appease Canberra’s concerns on weed seeds that could be present in the crown.

Chalk this positive development as a victory for Philippine authorities who for years have been trying to pry open the elusive Australian market for tropical fruits. Protectionism is so embedded among Australia’s agricultural producers that they often deluge their government officials with so-called researches that of course, always point to biosecurity-related risks as justification to prevent entry of fruits from other countries. This favorable development on pineapple imports naturally has sent danger signals to the now ever more wary Aussie banana growers.

Plans are afoot for the noisy Australian Banana Growers‚ Council to collect from its members a banana levy that is equivalent to 1.2 percent of producers‚ profits, the proceeds of which will be used to mount an even more aggressive campaign to stop Philippine bananas from entering Australian trading ports.

In recent years, the banana levy was invoked on its members when the Australian government appeared to be relenting to the request of the Philippine government to finally allow the export of its world-class bananas, mostly grown by local and multinational companies in the Mindanao region.

These Australian banana producers are indeed powerful. Last year, the group used substantial amount from growers’ funds to sustain their pitch to keep banana imports from reaching Australian ports. More funds are expected to be raised this year to pursue its relentless efforts to ensure foreign competition is kept at bay.

The group has the resources to commission consultants and engage scientific minds willing to author studies to bolster their cause, and reportedly makes no bones about dangling money to the so-called Canberra bureaucrats to ensure that the existing protectionist policies of the Australian quarantine regime is maintained.

The Aussie banana growers count as its supporters several members of Parliament and the Senate Rural and Regional Affairs Committee, which it lauded earlier this year for highlighting the systemic problems that led the quarantine agency BA "to significantly underestimate the serious pest and disease risks posed by Philippines’ bananas."

Ignoring impressive track record

For this group, it is unimportant that the Philippine banana exporting industry controls up to 70 percent of the even the more stringent Japanese market, or that the Philippines is one of top three largest banana producing and exporting countries across the globe.

In Mindanao, particularly in Davao, the estimated 35,000 hectares of banana plantations are recognized as the most efficient in the world, producing about $10,000 worth of Cavendish bananas per hectare yearly. The growing export markets include Japan, South Korea, China, and the Middle East.

For them, the one and only acceptable and rightful conclusion would be that Philippine bananas do not set foot at all in Australia. If indeed the Philippines is allowed to export its bananas to Australia, bananas could be sold there for a significantly lower price compared to local produce. This prospect is making Aussie banana growers restless again.

Already, the group identified three key concerns in the current Philippines banana revised draft import risks analysis report. They claim that the current recommendation for imports is based on unsound scientific assumptions, that the risk methodology is flawed, and that the prescribed risk management measures are untested and require "entrusting Australia’s quarantine security to Philippine banana exporters and workers."

The Philippine government as well as the local banana exporters must be able to work out a feasible strategy to pierce through the tough barricade being put up by Aussie banana producers.

The recent favorable development for the pineapple producers in Mindanao should encourage our banana exporters. It shows that the Australian tropical fruit market, despite well-funded protectionist lobby, is not entirely impenetrable.

Rousing Tagaytay poker tournament

The 5th leg of the Poker King Challenge series held at Casino Filipino Tagaytay during the weekend was a rousing success, thanks to the thorough preparation made by the Pagcor team headed by branch manager Alex Betita. Poker enthusiasts came all the way from Cebu, Angeles City, and Metro Manila to compete for the trophies, gift certificates and other goodies at stake in the competition.

After six hours of intense competition in the elimination, semi-finals and final rounds, Jason Lim, a business executive at Wendy’s Philippines, grabbed the champion’s trophy and qualified for the Grand Finals together with Pico Ching and Jun Lucas, 1st runner-up and 2nd runner-up, respectively. Mauri Balauitan, Delfin Ty and Allan Pereda, completed the championship table.

Trophies, prize certificates and valuable gift items were provided by tournament sponsors, namely the Poker Club of the Philippines, Philippine Gaming Corp. (Pagcor), Jack Daniels, Miller Genuine Draft Beer, Bicycle Playing Cards/Star Paper, Hyatt Hotel and Casino, Ralph’s Wine, Cinnabon and MyReviewerOnline, the Internet knowledge-builder.

Those interested to join the succeeding legs of Poker King Challenge or would like to join other non-wager tournaments may obtain details from the website www.PokerClubofthePhilippines.com <http://www.pokerclubofthephilippines.com/> or from the Club Secretariat (c/o Cindy) at telephone nos. 817-9092 or 816-6195.

Should you wish to share any insights, write me at Link Edge, 4th Floor, 156 Valero Street, Salcedo Village, 1227 Makati City. Or e-mail me at [email protected] or at [email protected]. If you wish to view the previous columns, you may visit my website at http://bizlinks.linkedge.biz.