In 2007 the New Zealand Government requested a review by the
World Trade Organisation ("WTO")
concerning measures imposed by Australia on the importation of
apples from New Zealand. The New Zealand Government contended that
Australia breached the WTO Agreement on the Application of
Sanitary and Phytosanitray Measures insofar as the trade
measures imposed constituted discrimination between Members and
were not scientifically justifiable.
Both the New Zealand and Australian Governments have confirmed
the release of a confidential interim report into the findings of
the WTO Panel. Whilst the Australian government has not confirmed
the content of the report, it has been leaked in a New Zealand
political newsletter, the Trans-Tasman, that it rejected the
Australian defence to the ban. If the suggested outcome is accurate
it would mean Australia is currently in breach of its free trade
obligations. As a result it is likely Australia would be forced to
significantly reduce
