The Australian Government has pledged to accelerate the phytosanitary approval process for the Indonesian fruit industry over the next few months, website Antaranews.com reported.

Australian Trade Minister Craig Emerson recently met with his Indonesian counterpart Mari Elka Pangestu in Jakarta to discuss the issue, the story reported.

Zallaca is one fruit Indonesia wants to export to Australia

Indonesia's director general of international trade cooperation Gusmardi Bustami was also at the meeting, informing Antaranews.com that SPS verification for tropical fruits such as mangosteen, zallaca fruit and mangoes would be sped up soon.

"For how long it would depend upon the results of examination which is still being carried out," he was quoted as saying.

"So far our fruits have difficulties entering there due to sanitary and phyto-sanitary requirements or Australian SPS that calls for verification of the location and planting methods which takes a lot of time.

"There are some food products that are not allowed to enter into that country because they are considered not meeting the labeling regulation such as ketchup and snack cream strawberry. The government is seeking common recognition on the products through the two countries' drug and food supervisory agencies."

Photo: www.tropenkost.de

Source: www.freshfruitportal.com