An Australian grape exporter has been fined more than a million dollars after falsifying paperwork when sending product to New Zealand.
Deputy Secretary of Biosecurity, Operations and Compliance Justine Saunders said New South Wales-based Grape House pleaded guilty to six counts of making false representations with the intention of dishonestly influencing a Commonwealth Official.
Deputy Secretary Saunders said the judge took into account a further 23 related offences when passing sentence on the six counts and handing down a $1,050,000 fine earlier this month.
She said the company submitted false or misleading documentation to the department to obtain phytosanitary certification and permits to export table grapes during the 2017 and 2018 export seasons.
“The company claimed the grapes intended for export were from a pest-free area, meaning they did not need cold-storage treatment for fruit fly.
“The grapes were in fact not from a pest-free area and were exported without the required treatment.”
Deputy Secretary Saunders said Australia worked with New Zealand authorities during the investigation.
“An outbreak of Queensland fruit fly in New Zealand would jeopardise New Zealand’s multi-billion-dollar horticultural industry,” she said.
“Damaging Australia’s international trade reputation could negatively impact legitimate exporters, which would significantly affect Australian farmers.”
