Aussie ban on RP bananas not final — DA

Pointing out that the reported ban by Australia on Philippine bananas is not final yet, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said yesterday it will seek clarification on the draft import risk analysis (IRA) issued by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) over the weekend. The IRA report recommended that Philippine bananas be banned from entering Australia because of quarantine considerations.

Australia, on June 30, released the draft IRA which states that Philippine mangoes carry pests and diseases, such as the moko disease, that could devastate its own banana growing industry. Australia gave the Philippines 60 days to submit its comments.

Undersecretary for policy and planning Segfredo Serrano noted that there is nothing really final yet, thus, the Philippine government could still exercise other options.

"The Philippines is one of the leading banana exporters in the world and we shall make the necessary appeal to eventually allow its entry in the Australian market," Agriculture Secretary Leonardo Montemayor said.

Montemayor asserted that Philippine bananas is considered one of the best in the world and hoped that Australia would change its position and eventually accept the importation of the local bananas.

In line with the DA’s bid for an appeal, Montemayor directed DA officials and technical staff to gather additional scientific and technical data, including sanitary and phytosanitary information about the fruit and submit them to Australia.

"We will address the technical concerns raised in the draft IRA within the 60-day deadline," Serrano said.

DA Undersecretary for operations Ernesto Ordoñez said Australia’s claim that the moko disease supposedly found in local bananas could not be feasibly reduced to meet Australia’s standard of protection is unfounded.

He pointed out that the Philippines had been exporting millions of boxes of bananas yearly to many countries, a clear proof that local exporting companies are effectively controlling the disease and have an excellent monitoring system to prevent the possibility of exporting diseased fruits.

Ordoñez said Philippine bananas are being exported to countries like Japan, New Zealand, Middle East, and China, among others, without quarantine inspection on the moko disease since shipments began in the 1960s.