Worms in first batch of Fiji ginger sparks fears
THE Federal Government seems to have ignored State Government and ginger growers' concerns at the quarantine risk of imported ginger, despite live worms being found in the first batch imported from Fiji.
Australia's multi-million-dollar ginger industry is based on the Sunshine Coast, at Yandina's Ginger Factory.
Farms stretch from the Coast to the Mary Valley and Gympie.
Federal Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce this week rejected a call from his Queensland counterpart John McVeigh for an immediate halt to the imports on biosecurity grounds.
He said the worms involved were already found in Australia and were there fore not a quarantine risk.
However, farming group Growcom said the incident did prove that the quarantine measures used to safeguard Australia's interests did not always work.
"Independent testing has found Australia's quarantine measure have failed to kill round worms living inside the first consignment of controversial Fijian ginger, which hit Australian shores last week," Growcom said.
Reader poll
Should ginger be imported from Fiji?
This poll ended on 29 October 2014.
Current Results
Yes I don't see the issue.
2%
I think it's ok as long as biosecurity standards are met.
2%
No! Use what we have here.
94%
This is not a scientific poll. The results reflect only the opinions of those who chose to participate.
