from our ABC .....

Howard reassures growers on banana imports

Prime Minister John Howard has re-assured banana growers in far north Queensland that restrictions on the import of fresh fruit will not be relaxed.

The banana industry is seeking urgent talks today with the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service over the importation of frozen processed bananas from Vietnam, though authorities say these pose no quarantine risk.

Queensland's Premier Peter Beattie has accused Mr Howard of breaking his promise to growers not to allow imports while the industry is recovering from the devastation of cyclone Larry.

The Prime Minister says that assurance will be honoured and he is disappointed by Mr Beattie's comments.

"I thought both of us were to keep politics out of the response of our two governments to the cyclone that flattened Innisfail," he said.

"I so far have done that and I think it's very regrettable that he's tried to make a cheap political point.

"He knows that the promise related to fresh bananas he knows that banana pulp has always been imported and he knows that quarantine restrictions have not been relaxed."

Talks sought .....

The banana industry will seek urgent talks today with the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS).

Tony Heidrich, from the Australian Banana Growers Council, says growers were shocked to learn of the Vietnamese imports.