NZL wins the WTO appeal on Australia apple ban

The World Trade Organization has upheld New Zealand's case against Australia for blocking apple exports. The WTO appeal body's ruling should clear the way for New Zealand to resume apple exports to Australia for the first time since 1921.

It backed most of New Zealand's claims that Australian quarantine measures breached world trade rules.

New Zealand Trade Minister Tim Groser on Tuesday welcomed the WTO ruling, saying this is good news for New Zealand apple exporters.

"We're looking forward to working with Australia to implement the findings through an effective and durable solution on access for New Zealand apples," Groser said in a statement.

The WTO had said in a ruling in August that there was no scientific basis to the stringent quarantine conditions Australian biosecurity proposed as protection against the plant disease fireblight, European canker and the apple leaf-curling midge.

The trans-Tasman trade dispute had its origins in 1921, when Australia banned imports of New Zealand apples after fireblight was found on fruit trees in this country. 
(Source:xinhua)