{"id":295932,"date":"2021-03-18T16:57:44","date_gmt":"2021-03-18T06:57:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=295932"},"modified":"2021-03-18T16:58:08","modified_gmt":"2021-03-18T06:58:08","slug":"nz-lifts-melon-import-ban","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2021\/03\/18\/nz-lifts-melon-import-ban\/","title":{"rendered":"NZ Lifts Melon Import Ban"},"content":{"rendered":"
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FLASHBACK: Virus-damaged watermelons in the NT in 2014<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

March 18, 2021<\/strong><\/p>\n

Exports of Queensland melons to New Zealand can resume following the lifting of bans by the NZ Government.<\/p>\n

Restrictions on the import of watermelons, rockmelons and other\u00a0cucurbits were imposed by New Zealand in\u00a0December 2019 after cucumber green mottle mosaic virus was detected in melons exported from Queensland.<\/p>\n

The virus is believed to have been first detected in Australia in 2014 in the Northern Territory.<\/p>\n

On Monday, NZ advised the suspension had been lifted.<\/p>\n

Agriculture Minister and Member for Maranoa David Littleproud welcomed the decision.<\/p>\n

He said Queensland\u00a0accounted for a third of Australia\u2019s watermelon production, 38 per cent of the rockmelon harvest and was a major contributor to the $39.3 million melon export industry.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am pleased my department, the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries, Queensland authorities and Australian industry were able to reach a workable solution on biosecurity protocols, which is acceptable to all stakeholders,” Mr Littleproud said.<\/p>\n

Johnathon Davey, from Melons Australia, also welcomed the news.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThis will mean getting melon exports back on track and a more normal future,\u201d Mr Davey said.<\/p>\n

An Industry Advice Notice has been issued to provide guidance to growers on export requirements.<\/p>\n

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