Fight the blight

PAKENHAM apple growers Chas and Marie Harding joined a protest last week over imports from New Zealand.
The orchardists joined with around 1500 concerned citizens at a rally in Shepparton where they voiced their disapproval over the Federal Government’s move to allow New Zealand apples into Australia.
Fruit growers are worried the apples will bring the disease fireblight into Australia, which they say could devastate the apple and pear industries across the country.
To illustrate their concerns, the protestors lit a four-metre high bonfire of apple trees, demonstrating what they believe could happen if fireblight makes it to our shores.
“It was a very well organised demonstration,” Mr Harding said.
“I would have thought there were between 2000 and 3000 people there.”
The protestors followed a convoy of trucks from the centre of town to the Shepparton showgrounds, where speeches were made and the bonfire lit.
“There were a lot of placards there, people were very much up in arms, they are very annoyed at the government’s approach to inspecting bio-security.”
Mr Harding said he was disappointed to hear Prime Minister Julia Gillard speaking about the subject on a recent tour of New Zealand.
“The Prime Minister told the New Zealand parliament that we would welcome their apples,” he said.
“The standards that they have to meet are less than what we would have to meet if we sent fruit to New Zealand.”
Despite the protests, Mr Harding said he thinks it is unlikely that the government will change its mind.
“I’d be surprised if the apples don’t come, so our best safeguard is to make bio-security controls tighter to try and stop this fireblight.”