Support for
Growth

EPPRD

APAL is a founding signatory to the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed (EPPRD)

The Deed covers management and funding of responses to emergency plant pest incidents – such as the incursion of an exotic pest or disease. It also ensures participation from plant industries in decision making and their contribution towards the costs related to emergency plant pest incident responses.

Plant Health Australia (PHA) is responsible for facilitating the partnership between industry and governments during emergency responses and for maintaining the EPPRD, a formal legally binding document.

The apple and pear industry initially elected to set the EPPR levy rate at zero, to be activated in the event of an emergency plant pest incident at a rate determined by government regulation in consultation with industry through APAL. In this case, funds would be transferred by the Levies Revenue Service to PHA for disbursement.

In March 2017, APAL notified industry of the intention to activate the EPPR levy to fund contributions to the Varroa jacobsoni and Torres Strait Fruit Fly response plans.

PIPS3

The third integrated Productivity, Irrigation, Pests and Soils Program (PIPS3 Program) for the apple and pear industry is being undertaken from July 2020 to July 2023 to build upon the outcomes of PIPS1 (2009-2014) and PIPS2 (2015-2020).

Leading researchers from Agriculture Victoria and the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture are addressing key knowledge gaps and advancing industry understanding of potential sustainable orchard systems of the future through a collaborative research, development and extension approach.

The objective of the PIPS3 Program is to provide the Apple and Pear industry with tools and knowledge to develop sustainable orchard systems of the future that:

• use resources efficiently and sustainably;
• focus on cultural and biological management solutions (reducing pesticide dependence);and
• drive quality through access to better information and new technologies along the supply chain.

National Residue Survey

The National Residue Survey (NRS) is a random testing program aimed at encouraging good agricultural practices, identifying potential food safety problems and indicating where follow-up action is needed. It also ensures industry compliance with Australian laws regarding pesticides, chemical residues and environmental contaminants.

The NRS operates by collecting samples of apples and pears from packing sheds across Australia. Additional random samples are taken from the wholesale markets operating in each capital city. NRS contract laboratories analyse the samples for residues of pesticides and environmental contaminants. The results are published annually in a the National Residue Survey Report.

The NRS is part of an industry strategy, backed by the Australian Government to promote market access and reduce chemical residues and environmental contaminants in Australian apples and pears. NRS assists the industry with access to key export markets and supports primary producers by confirming Australia’s status as a producer of clean food.

The NRS is funded by a 75 cent per tonne levy on apple and pear production in Australia, and is set at a lower rate for juicing and processing fruit.

The NRS currently provides export market residue testing free of charge to levy payers. Contact the NRS for further details and to arrange testing.

View recent NRS results for apples & pears

PIPS2: Productivity, Irrigation, Pests and Soils

Comprising research projects aligned with the themes of productivity, irrigation, pests and soils, PIPS2 coordinates different organisations and researchers to conduct orchard research for the apple and pear industry. Bringing the skills and experiences of local and international researchers together, PIPS2 create a range of project resources including fact sheets, videos and reports, to help growers achieve best practice.  The projects currently comprising PIPS2 are:

• Physiological, metabolic and molecular basis of biennial bearing in apple
• Improved tree and fruit nutrition for the Australian apple industry
• Profitable pears: maximising productivity and quality of new pear varieties
• Integrated pest and disease management
• Tree structure

Plant Health Australia

APAL is a founding member of Plant Health Australia (PHA), the national coordinator of the government-industry partnership for plant biosecurity in Australia.

PHA works in partnership with industry, governments and researchers to improve policy, practice and performance of Australia’s plant biosecurity system and to build capability to respond to plant pest emergencies.

PHA runs a number of programs to minimise plant pest impacts on Australia, enhance market access and contribute to industry and community sustainability.

Young Members’ Network

The Young Members’ Network provides leadership, networking and career growth opportunities for rising stars of the apple and pear industry.

Launched by APAL in 2019, membership is open to all Australian commercial apple and pear growers, orchard and pack house managers, pome fruit researchers and students under 35. Membership is free.