Threat to vegetable exports

Report: Eliza Wood
Taiwan is trying to restrict Australian root vegetables entering the country because of disease concerns.They're planning to prohibit root crops that can be affected by a disease called burrowing nematode, and to impose certification for a number of other pests and diseases.Carrot exports out of Western Australia, potato exports out of South Australia, and onion exports out of Tasmania are expected to be affected. Ausveg economist Ian James says Australia has three weeks to put together a technical argument against the restrictions."They argue that they're tightening up all their phytosanitary requirements and that they are doing it in regard to World Trade Organisation rules," he said."We have some concerns about this because we're not sure whether this is actually the case or whether it's a trade barrier against Australia and exports of vegetables."
In this report: Ian James, Ausveg economist.