Pineapple import decision prompts ministerial argument

Senator Joe Ludwig has criticised Queensland Agriculture Minister John McVeigh about his comments on imported Malaysian pineapples, saying his “lack of understanding about Australia’s biosecurity system has reached a new low” and accusing him of misleading Queenslanders.

McVeigh called Ludwig a “coward” for leaving his final decision to allow imports of fresh Malaysian pineapples until close of business on 14 December, claiming he did so to avoid industry and media scrutiny.

“He’s ignored the risks and all the evidence, not just from growers and government scientists in Queensland, but then slipped out his decision late last Friday afternoon in a deliberate attempt to avoid scrutiny,” McVeigh said. “He released his interim decision late on a Friday afternoon and he’s done exactly the same sneaky thing with his final decision - it’s cowardly.”

However, the Federal Agriculture Minister said no final decision has been made by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) to import pineapples from Malaysia. Australia has permitted the import of pineapples since 2004, Ludwig said.

“The Australian Government Director of Animal and Plant Quarantine has simply determined what import conditions need to be in place if pineapples are imported from Malaysia,” Ludwig said.

“This is not a final decision to import pineapples from Malaysia. At this stage there have been no requests for import permits, and none can be issued.”

McVeigh said the Australian pineapple industry is at risk from bacterial heart rot and fruit collapse, which are endemic in Malaysia. “They’ve decimated up to 40% of pineapple crops in Malaysia and we certainly don’t need to risk our iconic local industry,” McVeigh said.

“Senator Ludwig is totally out of touch with Queensland and Queensland growers,” McVeigh said. “He’s refused to listen to Growcom’s submissions that bacterial fruit collapse is a devastating disease affecting pineapples across Malaysia - the disease is undetectable in its latent phase and untreatable.”

Ludwig said imported pineapples from all countries are subject to strict quarantine requirements, which aim to protect Australia’s primary producers, the community and the environment from biosecurity risks.

“The import of decrowned fresh pineapple is nothing new,” Ludwig said. “Australia has permitted the import of pineapples from the Philippines, Thailand, Sri Lanka and the Solomon Islands since 2004, under the Howard government.”

McVeigh’s comments were not only “irresponsible”, Ludwig said, “they demonstrate the Newman government’s complete disregard for our biosecurity system.

“Minister McVeigh simply doesn’t understand how the system works.”