Queensland government pledges support for state's lime industry

Lime growers in north Queensland have slammed a Federal government plan, warning it could potentially destroy the local industry and risk bringing in a number of biosecurity hazards.

Member for Hill Shane Knuth raised the issue in state parliament this week, asking the government to act and to protect local producers.

Related: FNQ citrus growers slam federal government's plan to import limes from Mexico

Agriculture Minister Mark Furner expressed his concern regarding the importation of Limes from Mexico, and said he would take the industry's concerns to the Federal Agriculture Minister David Littleproud.

"While we need to have international trade, we need to be aware of the biosecurity risks," Mr Furner said.

"The role of my department as a stakeholder, among many stakeholders, is to review and provide input throughout the biosecurity import risk assessment process.

"Right now, David Littleproud's department of agriculture has consultation open in relation to a review of biosecurity import requirements for fresh Persian lime fruit from Mexico.

"What is surprising is that David Littleproud's department seems more supportive of Coronas with Mexican limes rather than homegrown 'Milton mango'."

Queensland is currently the largest producer of limes in Australia with 558 hectares of mature lime orchards, representing more than half of Australia's total lime production.

Despite the large citrus bowl in Queensland, Australia currently imports limes from the Cook Islands, Egypt, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Samoa, Spain, Tonga, the US and Vanuatu.

Mr Furner said his department's scientists raised technical and scientific concerns with the federal counterparts at a meeting on Wednesday 5 May, 2021.

"We have a state free of many pests and diseases, yet there are risks-funguses, viruses, mites and scabs-as a result of any threat coming into our state," he said.

"DAF personnel also attended the citrus industry consultation meeting convened by DAWE in Mareeba on 19 May 2021.

"There are other potential risks, and if there is a fail at the border it is Queensland growers who will suffer."

Mr Furner will relay the lime growers concerns at the next National Agriculture Ministers meeting with the Federal Agriculture Minister.

- courtesy North Queensland Register.

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