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THE long
delays in the Australian decision to completely lift the
ban on Philippine tropical fruits have slowly strained
trade relations between the two countries and affected
private-sector decision to explore New Zealand market
that offers better terms to similar products also found
in Canberra, said a senior trade diplomat.
The
Australian government has imposed a ban on Philippine
mangoes, pineapples and bananas in its market for almost
10 years now. So far, mangoes from Guimaras have been
allowed access into the Australian market early last
year, but pineapples and bananas are still banned.
The
senior trade diplomat said the government has not
resorted to dispute settlement measures with the World
Trade Organization (WTO) on two grounds: First, there
are no sanctions to be imposed against Australia for
its continued imposition of the sanitary and
phytosanitary measures known as one of the nontariff
barriers; second, the lost revenues for the Philippine
tropical fruits will no longer be returned to the
exporters.
“Australia will only be compelled [by the WTO] to effect
trade policies by allowing access to Philippine tropical
fruits,” said the senior trade diplomat who requested
anonymity.
But he
said there are measures where the Philippines can “get
even” and would simply hurt the Australian products
getting access into the country’s market.
At the
same time, Australian ambassador to the Philippines Tony
Hely maintained that his government is committed to
welcoming Philippine tropical fruits into the Canberra
market as soon as the pests and other disease issues on
these products have been addressed.
He said
the Australian Embassy has funded two pest survey
studies on Davao del Sur and Saranggani with amount of
A$250,000 and A$100,000, respectively, to determine
whether these provinces can resume export of mangoes
into Australia.
Hely
said there is also an ongoing import-risk assessment on
Philippine bananas that would evaluate the measures
taken by the Philippine exporters to address the SPS
issues of Australia.
“A draft
of the risk-assessment report has been submitted to the
Philippine officials for comment. After that, the report
would be submitted to the Australian agriculture
officials for final decision. We expect to have the
final report this year or next year,” said Hely in an
interview in Makati City.
Meanwhile, pineapple products from the Philippines are
now being allowed access into the Australian market if
quarantine solutions like decrowning and fumigation are
implemented.
The
diplomat cited that the
Philippines
that used to heavily import beef and dairy products from
Australia is slowly exploring the New Zealand market.
“Although the decision to import beef and dairy products
from New Zealand is market-driven, the good political
and trade relations between the Philippines and New
Zealand have influenced private-sector decisions,” he
said.
The
Filipino diplomat said that New Zealand has also been
providing better terms, discounts and efficient delivery
of exports to the Philippines compared with Australia.
He said
that the Philippine industries have also opted to import
beef products from New Zealand because Australia for
some time has suffered long delays due to reduction of
beef products for exports. |
