Australia approves California grape imports

AgExporter, June, 2002

In February the Australian Ministry of Agriculture approved imports of California table grapes under strict conditions that include fumigation at origin. To promote California table grapes in the newly opened market, FAS will provide $75,000 to the California Table Grape Commission under its Quick Response Emergency Fund program, created under Section 108, which finances the sale and exportation of agricultural commodities to foreign governments on concessional terms.

The money will fund promotions, consumer evaluations, technical assistance and trade servicing to the California table grape industry The United States and Australia have counter-cyclical growing seasons, so the trade will benefit both countries. USDA and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative have worked for more than 10 years to obtain access to the Australian market for California table grapes. This year, USDA'S Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and the Australian Quarantine Authority ironed out the final details of a shipping p rotocol. USDA will continue to work with the grape industry and the Australians to reassess the program at the end of the first shipping season to review the need for some of the requirements. For more information about the Quick Response Emergency Fund go to: www.fas.usda.gov/mos/108/Program Notices/l0801001.html