So where the bloody hell are the grapes?
Gary Higgins scrutinises a sample
from an export consignment.
The Australian outback is an unlikely destination for New Zealand quarantine inspectors in their daily work, but that's where Gary Higgins ended up on a pre-inspection tour.
Imports of produce to New Zealand can be streamlined through inspections being carried out before the consignments leave their country of origin. When MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) Quarantine Inspector Gary Higgins was asked by his manager if he would be interested in doing pre-inspection of Australian grapes, he jumped at the chance.
This decision took him first to Mildura, one of Australia's prime grape growing and exporting areas. Situated in Victoria, on the banks of the Murray River, Mildura is close to the borders of New South Wales and South Australia.
Bestfresh holds a Service Agreement with MAFBNZ, and arranges the pre-inspection of grapes for all the operators before they are consigned to New Zealand.
Gary covered many kilometres of red dusty roads, and passed more than a few dead kangaroos on the roadside, on his journey to the Grapehouse to inspect the first consignment of grapes.
He inspected a representative 600-unit sample of the grapes, which had already been given the once-over by inspectors from the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS). With no weed seeds or pests found, Gary issued the packhouse with MAFBNZ documentation clearing the consignment for export.
This was the first of seven such inspections carried out over the next five days, each visit separated by long stretches on the road. Included on the rounds was Western and Sons Vineyards at Loxton in South Australia, where a sea container of just one variety of grapes was being prepared for export to New Zealand. Gary explains that in cases such as this, where the container is not physically present, the growers are authorised by AQIS to attach seals and guarantee the product is the same line inspected by MAFBNZ.
Crossing back to Nangiloc Coligan Farms in Victoria, Gary passed desolate salt pans that once were lakes. He says there was a severe water restriction in the Sunraysia region. "Even the irrigation for the oranges had been stopped and they were dying."
The pre-inspection tour took Gary to parts of Australia not seen by the average tourist. "The people were all very helpful, especially the three inspectors at the AQIS office who travel these distances every day to carry out their inspections."
His fondest memory was of the man at the fruit fly checkpoint going into South Australia who leaned in the car window to ask if Gary had any fruit.
"He recognised the uniform and exclaimed 'Of course you don't! What the hell are you doing way out here?' I explained our pre-clearance procedure and wished him well with his inspections."
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Page last updated: 19 June 2008