After a ban that spanned more than a year, Queensland melons are back on New Zealand's menu.
MPI says Australia has improved its systems and imports could recommence. Photo: 123rf
The Ministry for Primary Industries suspended fresh melon imports from Queensland in December 2019, after the plant disease Cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV), was detected at the border on a consignment of melons from the state.
The virus is a threat to New Zealand growers as it can damage cucurbit fruit, including watermelon, rock melon, zucchini, and pumpkin.
MPI director of animal and plant health Peter Thomson said the ministry had decided Australia had done enough to improve their systems and it was satisfied imports could recommence.
"We did an audit of their system [after the detection of CGMMV] and found that they needed to make some improvements so we would have confidence that their exports to us would be free from this virus in future, they've now completed all the actions they needed to."
Thomson said the trade with Queensland did provide good income for Australia's melon industry and was also important for New Zealand consumers, who wanted to have watermelons, cucumbers and zucchinis in the off-season when they were not being grown locally.
Australian Agriculture Minister David Littleproud said in a statement he was pleased his department, the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries, Queensland authorities and Australian industry were able to reach a workable solution on biosecurity protocols.
"The resumption of Queensland melon trade with our Tasman neighbours means jobs and certainty for our farmers, and confirms the strength of our bilateral ties," he said.
"It also means New Zealanders once again have access to some of our country's famously healthy and fresh horticultural delights."
Paul McLaughlin from Melons Australia said the timing was perfect with the upcoming harvest.
"It's back to business for the growers in Queensland who missed out last year," McLaughlin said.
In the 2019-2020 season, the Australian melon industry was valued at $152 million, with exports valued at just under $40m.