NZ apples rejected

Nearly one quarter of New Zealand apples destined for Australia have been rejected due to contamination.

Biosecurity Australia has said 13 consignments of New Zealand apples had been inspected and three were rejected for export.

The revelation was made at a Senate Estimates hearing in Canberra this week.

The fruit was rejected due to the presence apple leaf curling midge and leaf litter, which can carry fire blight.

Fire blight has the potential to devastate apple and pear orchards.

The news follows the lifting of a 90-year ban on NZ apple imports.

Apple and Pear Australia Ltd chairman John Lawrenson said the revelation showed New Zealand Standard Orchard Practices, which Biosecurity accepted as sufficient to protect Australia, were inadequate.