The Nationals are demanding Labor stop its attack on Australian farmers, amid growing concerns that the Albanese Labor Government is putting the pineapple industry at risk.
The Nationals’ today launched a petition Stop Labor’s foreign pineapple plan.
In July, Federal Member for Hinkler David Batt MP hosted a local farm visit and meeting with the Opposition Leader Angus Taylor, Nationals Leader Matt Canavan, pineapple growers, and industry leaders.
Mr Batt said risky imports threaten the livelihoods of growers in the wider Bundaberg and Hervey Bay regions, and right across Queensland.
Senator Canavan said farmers were worried that Labor could soon allow new pineapple imports from India and Indonesia, potentially allowing exotic pests, unfair competition, and a potential biosecurity outbreak.
“The Nationals support fair trade, but fair trade must be safe trade,” Senator Canavan said.
“Imports should not be approved until the science has been independently tested, strict biosecurity conditions are clear and Australian growers are protected.
“That’s why The Nationals are launching a petition to back Australian farmers. We have the best pineapples in the world – which Labor Members of Parliament can taste for themselves this week. That’s why we must protect our pineapple industry.”
Consultation following the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry draft report, Decrowned pineapples from India and Indonesia: biosecurity import requirements, has now closed.
The draft report determined that the importation of fresh decrowned pineapples from India and Indonesia can be permitted, provided they meet the biosecurity import conditions and all imports must come from commercial production areas of India and Indonesia.
Mr Batt said the Australian Pineapple Industry had identified mealy bugs, scale insects and thrips overseas.
“Australia’s pineapple sector is overwhelmingly dependent on the domestic market, with only about eight tonnes of fresh or dried pineapple exported in 2024,” Mr Batt said.
“Growers in Hinkler have told me, they have no meaningful alternative market if additional imports displace Australian fruit or reduce domestic prices. Even modest import volumes could have a commercial effect if they arrive during peak Queensland production, particularly when growers are already facing rising input, labour and freight costs.”
Fraser Coast grower Colin Hawken represents local farmers across the Hinkler electorate.
Mr Hawken said the proposed imports could be the final blow for Australia’s iconic pineapple industry. “This could very well be the last straw for our iconic Australian pineapple industry.”
“Our industry has already shrunk to around a third of its former size, largely due to the devastating impact of imported canned pineapple. Australian pineapple farms are predominantly family-owned businesses, competing against enormous overseas corporate operations with vastly different production costs and regulatory requirements.
We are proud to live and farm in a country with strict environmental protections, land-clearing regulations, workplace health and safety standards, labour laws and food safety requirements. But where is the fairness in expecting Australian growers to meet these standards while potentially allowing imported fruit produced under very different conditions to compete directly with us?”
Queensland Fruit and Vegetable Growers CEO Scott Kompo-Harms said the potential consequences extended beyond the introduction of an exotic pest, with a serious incursion capable of affecting production, increasing business costs and placing pressure on the viability of Australia’s pineapple industry.
“Biosecurity is fundamental to the future of Australian pineapple production. If a serious pest establishes here, the costs of managing it could be significant, and the consequences could extend across the industry,” Mr Kompo-Harms said.
The Nationals’ have delivered fresh pineapple juice to Labor MP’s in Parliament House accompanied by a letter urging them to reconsider allowing dangerous imports to enter Australia.
Petition here: Stop Labor’s foreign pineapple plan