New Zealand to take Australia to WTO over apple ban

New Zealand is to take Australia to the World Trade Organisation over the impasse on apple exports.

The Government had hoped progress would be made on overturning an 85-year-old ban on New Zealand's apple exports to Australia.

But efforts to arrange access have been met with continual delays, and on Monday the Government announced it will take the case to the World Trade Organisation.

Australia maintains - despite overwhelming scientific evidence to the contrary - that apples can carry the plant disease fire blight.

The Government says there have been delays finalising the operating procedures necessary to allow the export of some of the country's apple crop to begin next year.

Agriculture and trade ministers Jim Anderton and Phil Goff say they are disappointed that New Zealand has been forced to take its case to the WTO, which is the only option left. Mr Anderton says the Australian apple market could be worth up to $9 million. Total apple exports earn New Zealand $300 million a year.