Australia Loses Appeal of WTO Ruling on Apple Imports

World Trade Organization judges rejected an Australian appeal of a ruling that held its 89-year-old ban on New Zealand apple imports illegal. The decision may force Australia to open its market or face possible retaliation.

A WTO panel concluded in August that Australia should lift the ban on apple imports, which has been in place since 1921 to prevent the bacterial disease fire blight, as well as European canker and apple leaf-curling midge, from spreading. Judges in Geneva backed that decision today, saying Australia should “bring its measures into conformity with its obligations.”