An Australian grape-export company has been fined more than $1 million dollars for trying to bypass controls to export table grapes to New Zealand. The case was prosecuted by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (Cth) after a referral from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
The Grape House pleaded guilty to six counts of making false representations with the intention of dishonestly influencing a Commonwealth official. The judge considered a further 23 related offences when passing sentence on the six counts.
The company submitted false or misleading documentation to the department to obtain phytosanitary certification and permits to export the 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.
The $1,050,000 fine was handed down in Penrith District Court on 8 August.
In 2024, ABARES data showed Australia’s table grape exports were worth more than $248 million. Since the incidents took place, there have been a number of trials and grants in the industry to improve traceability and biosecurity in the industry and other fresh produce crops.
Deputy secretary of Biosecurity, Operations and Compliance, Justine Saunders, said Australia worked with New Zealand authorities on Operation Pimlico.
“This prosecution was successful thanks to the cooperation of many different organisations and individuals over a long period of time. An outbreak of Queensland fruit fly in New Zealand would jeopardise New Zealand’s multi-billion-dollar horticultural industry,” Saunders said.
“Damaging Australia’s international trade reputation could negatively impact legitimate exporters, which would significantly affect Australian farmers.
“Under the Export Control Act, people can be given prison terms for breaching our laws. Corporate entities can be fined, civilly prosecuted and have their registrations revoked.”
