Pineapple growers raise biosecurity concerns as Indian and Indonesian imports considered

The federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) has released a draft assessment report on the risks of importing decrowned pineapples after both countries requested market access under existing trade obligations.

The report found the fruit could be safely imported if strict biosecurity requirements were met to manage eight identified pests, most of which are species of mealy bugs. But farmers believe imports are an unnecessary risk, as local fruit is meeting domestic demand.

As a member of the World Trade Organization, the department said Australia has international obligations it must meet, including assessing import proposals and developing conditions that are scientifically backed and don’t unnecessarily restrict trade. Under those obligations, the department cannot assess the potential economic impact of additional market competition, but it can rate the risks of identified pests and diseases.

While the assessment does not automatically mean trade will occur, farmers want risk management procedures to be closely scrutinised. In fact, there are local farmers believing the trade will open to new risks for their agricultural businesses, such as pests from India and Indonesia infesting their crops.