A NEW OUTLET

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 109, 11 May 1933, Page 12

A NEW OUTLET

NEW ZEALAND FRUIT

AMERICAN MARKET

NOW DECLAEED OPEN

The United States Government has agreed to remove the restriction on the import of/ fruit from New Zealand. This decision, which was announced today by the Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. C. E. Macmillan), is the result of negotiations which have been proceeding for some time. The United States will now admit New Zealand fruit under permit and subject to inspection. "For some years past," said Mr. Macmillan, "the New Zealand Government has been endeavouring to get the United States market opened for New Zealand fruit and vegetables, apples and pears being regarded as tho particular fruits likely to be exported to that country in the event of the restrictions being removed. "The principal reason hitherto given by the United States Government for not enabling importations to bo made was, originally, that the Mediterranean fruit-fly had been present in Now Zealand in the past, and that it-might reappear, and later (when that objection had been satisfactorily removed) that New Zealand was importing fruit from countries whore this particular fly was present. Eecently New Zealand reached, a position where this last objection was overcome, and the question was again taken up with the United States Government through the medium of the American Consul-Gen-eral. After a short period of negotiation during which the matter of risk from fruit-fly was discussed ■in its various aspects, a communication has now been received from the ConsulGeneral stating that tho United States market has been opened to New Zealand fruit, under permit, and subject to inspection on arri\ ral. This communication went on to stato that in taking this actionI'the United States Department of Agriculture 'wished it to bo understood that it was influenced largely by the confidence it has in the quarantine officers and entomologists of New Zealand.' Tho permit system exists in connection with most, if not all, other countries exporting to tho States, and it operates through the medium of the importer. The duty at present imposed, by tho United States on apples is 25 cents per 501b ease, and on pears '■}' cent per Ib. The establishment of this arrangement is satisfactory, and the assistance rendered by the American Consul-General towards bringing it about is highly appreciated. It should provide a valuable market for -New Zealand fruit, and thus help_ towards overcoming our difficult position in haying too limited a scope in oversoas markets for primary products." "The information has been communicated to tho Fruit Export Control Board, but ■ our export season is probably too far advanced to enable much, if any, business to be done this year. The removal of the import restrictions will, however, enable, full preparation to be made for next season."