Newspaper Article 1985 – Aussies look us over

Aussies look us over

Top Australian officials are looking at apple growing and exporting in Hastings before reporting to the Australian Government which is reviewing assistance to its growers from next September.

The presiding commissioner of the Australia Industries Assistance Commission, Mr John Sheaffer, said in Hastings this morning that New Zealand apple growers grew and exported more successfully than Australian growers.

He is intending to find some of the reasons for New Zealand’s success during two days in Hawke’s Bay and nine days in New Zealand.

He is accompanied by a senior staff member, Mr Greg Cutbush, and today visited orchards and the Whakatu fruit packhouse with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.

Tomorrow they will visit the DSlR researh [research] orchard, Havelock North, and the Apple and Pear Board, Hastings.

Mr Sheaffer will report his findings to the Federal Government in drafts by mid-April and again in June. The final report is to be completed by September.

New Zealand apples are banned from Australia because of fireblight but juice is accepted.

Mr Sheaffer said he would report on the effects of the quarantine ban but would not comment on the justification for it.

Photo caption – The president of the Hawke’s Bay Fruitgrowers’ Association Mr Colin Wake, left, with two Australian Government officials seeking answers for the greater efficiency of New Zealand apple growers. At the right is the presiding commissioner of the Australian Industries Assistance Commisson, Mr John Sheaffer, with a senior member of staff, Mr Greg Cutbush.