The long-standing dispute over access for New Zealand apples to the Australian market should be resolved soon, and certain progress has been made, New Zealand Foreign Minister Phil Goff said Monday.

He said strong indications were given of this in a discussion between the Foreign Ministers of Australia and New Zealand in Queensland Sunday.

"We had been earlier advised that the long-awaited import risk analysis by Biosecurity Australia on New Zealand apples would be released in weeks not months," said Goff.

"Alexander Downer (Australian Foreign Minister) confirmed this weekend that the analysis would be released soon and that the decision make on it would be science-based," said Goff.

"That's good news. After 84 years of Australia banning imported New Zealand apples, and 19 years of lobbying by New Zealand for access, patience has been wearing thin," said Goff.

Australia has banned New Zealand apples because of a perceived risk of the pip fruit disease fire blight. The ban dates back to an outbreak in Auckland in 1919.

Goff said any decision based on science must find in New Zealand's favor, for there is "no evidence" that fire blight disease can be spread by mature apples in commercial trade.

New Zealand's case has been strengthened by a World Trade Organization (WTO) compliance panel finding against Japanese restrictions on United States apples for the same reason over fire blight on June 23.

Goff said the recent developments strengthen New Zealand's case further, and he is confident that the nation will reverse 84 years of history and soon be able to give Australian consumers the benefit of access to New Zealand's apples.

Goff said the quickest way to cope with the dispute is through bilateral discussions with Australia following release of its import risk analysis report.

However, should there be further unjustifiable delay, new Zealand is prepared to take the matter through the WTO disputes process, "though this itself would entail further delay," said Goff.

Source: Xinhua