TASMANIA will be able to export apples to China after a new quarantine deal signed this week.
"Strong exports are critical for the future of Australia," Mr Burke said.
"Improved access for Tasmanian apples is great news for the industry, and opens up various niche markets throughout China.
"The Australian and Tasmanian State Governments have worked in close collaboration with the Australian apple industry’s peak body Apple and Pear Australia Limited (APAL), and Fruit Growers Tasmania Incorporated (FGT) to achieve this positive outcome.
"Tasmania boasts an ideal climate and modern production systems to produce some of the finest perennial fruit in the world, with Tasmanian apples renowned globally."
The new agreement lifts China’s previous requirement to carry out surveys for European canker and fire blight – two diseases of quarantine concern to China, that are not present in Tasmania or the rest of Australia.
China has recognised Tasmania’s pest free area status for fruit flies and the network of trapping and surveillance that supports it, along with a workable monitoring and control program for apple codling moth, and orchard management of light brown apple moth, woolly apple aphid and brown rot.
"The total value of Australian horticulture exports consisting of fresh and processed fruit, nuts and vegetables was $1.29 billion in 2008–09," Mr Burke said.
"These new quarantine conditions are a tremendous boost for our important horticultural industry and I commend the Australian and Chinese authorities for reviewing the agreement which now allows Tasmanian growers to access the Chinese market under workable protocol requirements."
Australia’s next horticultural sector access priority to China is summer fruits, grapes, cherries and apples from mainland Australia.
