According to reports, Australia's quarantine authority has announced it will permit the importation of apples from the Tasman for the first time in 90 years, as Apple and Pear Australia (APA) has raised concerns over the decision.

It seems that there is no near breather for the residents of New Zealand who apparently have been struggling with hike in milk prices. It came to light in March, when complaints were launched against the rise of milk prices, thereby demanding for a full-fledge probe in the matter to rein in price hike.

The second largest milk processor of New Zealand Open Country Dairy has appealed for an examination of Fonterra's milk pricing system. Several dairy owners small and big were opposing the poor system of Fonterra, on price fixation of milk products; therefore they demanded bringing price allocation aspect under the dairy guidelines.

According to Fonterra Cooperative Group Limited, the world’s largest dairy exporter has reported that the prices of powder milk may decrease. The delivery for the month of September of powder milk has decreased by 7.4%. These figures were revealed by a trade-weighted price index, which was calculated by the company after its latest Global Dairy Trade auction.

The government had faced criticism for its incapable policies to curb the foot-and-mouth outbreak and measly state budget to mend the failing “red line” animal disease fences. During last week, the Parliament had emerged that only R12 million a year was allocated throughout the country to maintain animal disease control fences with five neighboring countries and those subsidies from the Public Works Department were “never sufficient”.

Considerations are being made by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) whether to stop importation of uncooked pork or not.

Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome have been reported diseases found in pork products from North America and European countries. Therefore, the MAF is considering stopping importation from those countries.