WEST Australian carrot growers look destined to lose hundreds of thousands of dollars in exports over a bureaucratic quarantine mess.
Taiwan takes millions of dollars worth of WA carrots in some years, but its government has recently become concerned at the possibility of the pest Burrowing Nematode being imported into the country.
However growers are frustrated Taiwan has set a March 1 2009 deadline to have the problem sorted, but seems to be dragging its heels on a quick resolution.
The nematode are often found on banana plants and the Taiwanese were worried that bananas were grown in the same state that sends them carrots.
However bananas are grown in far north WA while the carrot growing areas are in the state’s south.
AusVeg chief economist Ian James said he believed Australian scientists had already shown the carrot growing areas were a "pest free" zone.
"We think we’ve proven it, the research have been done, but Taiwan are saying they need to look into it further," Mr James said.
"Taiwan want to send someone out here _ there’s a long-winded process involved _ but in the meantime Taiwan say exports will be excluded."
Biosecurity Australia and carrot industry figures will discuss the next course of action in a teleconference on Friday.
Mr James said one possible option would be to ask the Taiwanese government for an extension on the deadline.
