Aussie envoy upbeat on banana issue

Outgoing Australian Ambassador Tony Hely said the dispute between Australia and the Philippines over the entry of Philippine bananas to Australia is nearing resolution.

He said a revised draft Import Risk Analysis (IRA) report has made specific recommendations on measures that need to implement before allowing the entry of Philippine Cavendish bananas into Australia.

Hely said stakeholders have given their comments on the revised draft and authorities are just waiting for the comments from a group of eminent scientists.

According to Hely, Australia has to be careful about the entry of contaminated or infested bananas which could harm Australia’s own banana industry.

Based on the revised IRA report submitted by Biosecurity Australia, the main pests and diseases of quarantine concern are moko, black sigatoka, freckle, mealybugs and armoured scales, spider mites and banana rust thrips.

Philippine and Australian agriculture officials met last December to discuss the banana issue, along with a number of other agricultural matters including Australian financial assistance to the Philippine agriculture sector.

The banana issue has been a source of friction between the two countries, with the Philippines accusing Australia of violating World Trade Organization (WTO) policies on unfair trade barriers.

The case is still pending with the WTO.