Solon lashes at Australia for banning RP fruits

Southern Leyte Rep. Aniceto G. Saludo, Jr. once again strongly condemned the Australian Government as it launched another unfair trade practice against the Philippines by banning Philippine fruits into its market.

The government of Australia imposed the ban after its local farmers alleged that Philippine fruits are contaminated with diseases that are detrimental to their local crops.

Saludo said that this is a cheap antic used by the Australian government aimed only to protect its local fruit industry.  “Our tropical fruits are better and are more competent in the world market compared to theirs that is why they are resorting to all kinds of negative propaganda”, Saludo explained.

“We have not received any complaint from our other trading partners regarding these allegations.  And I strongly believe that these false claims by the Aussie government is largely due to their weakening fruit industry”, the solon added. 

Saludo urged the Department of Agriculture to quickly resolve this problem before it can cause further damage to fruit growers in the Philippines. He called on Agriculture Secretary Leonardo Montemayor to adopt a firm political will to counter the trade violation of committed by Australia.

“We should let the Australian government know that its trade practice is grossly unfair and it is encouraging to know that our meat industry has decided to boycott Australia’s dairy product while the ban is not lifted”, Saludo added.

He recalled that a similar trade dispute between the Philippines and Australia ensued last year. For Australia’s refusal to Philippine fruits, then Agriculture Secretary and now Senator Edgardo Angara ordered local meat importers to obtain their meat supply from other meat producing countries if Australia continues its refusal of RP fruits.  Because of this, the Aussie government immediately withdrew its restriction. 

(Released on February 18, 2003)