AUSTRALIAN apple and pear growers face an uncertain summer with decisions due in the next few months on the importation of fresh apples from New Zealand, China and the US.

The Eminent Scientists Group was due to report on its review of Biosecurity Australia's draft import risk analysis on imports from China last month.

Submissions on a draft risk analysis on imports from the US close this month and the World Trade Organisation's disputes panel is to report by January on a complaint from New Zealand.

New Zealand went to the WTO in 2007 arguing the quarantine conditions specified in BA's approval were trade barriers and not based on scientific grounds.

Australian Fire Blight Taskforce chairman John Corboy, who has led the fight to keep exotic pome fruit pests and diseases out of the country, said the US had sided with New Zealand because it would probably face the same criteria if its imports were approved.

"So the next step is, if Australia wins at the WTO, America's going to have to wear those conditions," he said.

"If we lose, I assume the position would have to be modified."

Mr Corboy, who grows apples and stonefruit near Shepparton, said opponents of imports had always argued the quarantine conditions set by BA were not strict enough.

"New Zealand reckons they're too strong," he said.

"I'm not suggesting there's a halfway mark, I'm suggesting we're right and they're wrong.

"We're not comfortable with (the conditions) and we never have been."

Growers fear the importation of fresh apples could allow serious pests and diseases like fire blight, European canker and apple scab to enter Australia, with devastating consequences.

After receiving 10 submissions, BA in September referred a draft risk analysis report for fresh apples from China to the independent Eminent Scientists Group for review within 60 days.

Submissions on the US draft risk analysis, which identifies 20 insect pests and 14 diseases of concern, close on December 21.

A federal Department of Agriculture spokeswoman said the ESG had finalised its report on Chinese imports, which would be published on the department's website "soon".

The spokeswoman said the WTO was scheduled to release its draft report early next year.

Asked whether a BA decision on an application for apples from the US would depend on the WTO ruling, she said: "Parties will have around 60 days to comment before the final report is released."