Australian senators will be visiting Hawkes Bay apple packhouses later this month to see for themselves the quarantine standards that are being applied to exports to Australia. 

The New Zealand government has invited four senators to inspect the packhouses and observe the quarantine practices to reassure them Kiwi apples are safe to export.

Australian quarantine officials are based at the packhouses, pre-inspecting before they leave -- however they have been  knocking back line-after-line of apples.

Pipfruit New Zealand says it is concerned about the situation and will be speaking with MAF about ways to improve the situation.  

Earlier this year apple packhouses told Country 99TV they deliberately began apple exports late this year, out of season, in order to try and get through what they expected would be an initial phase of intense inspections and knock-backs.