In what has been a stellar 24 hours for our export market, Australia’s Prime Minister Julia Gillard has accepted a decision to allow our apples into the country.

The World Trade Organisation ruled in our favour in a 2007 hearing, overturning a 90 year ban on New Zealand apples stretching back to 1921.

After a lengthy appeal process that Australia fought and lost, it was finally announced last year that our fruit will be allowed access to our nearest neighbours.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard said in Wellington on Wednesday that they had accepted the decision and exhausted the appeal provision under international law.

"Australia accepts the verdict of the global umpire and will implement the World Trade Organisation rulings on the importation of New Zealand apples to Australia," she said.

Horticulture New Zealand Chief Executive Peter Silcock says Ms Gillard’s comments will be music to apple grower’s ears. 

Pipfruit New Zealand CEO Peter Beaven agrees, and says it will be a huge relief to the industry after decades of waiting for this moment.

"My response is that it’s really an affirmation of what’s actually been happening since the WTO decision was finalised.

"The officials have agreed to implement and she’s really just confirming that. So it’s positive, it means that there’s not going to be anymore political shenanigans at their end."

Mr Beaven says optimistically we can expect to see the first apples crossing the Tasman from next year.

"That proposed time frame, which has been accepted, means that we should have all arrangements in place, sometime late this year.

"So there may be an opportunity for a small number of shipments to go towards the end of this calendar year.

"But trade in earnest will begin about 2012."

The Australian Apple and Pear Lobby has asked the senate to fund fireblight detection methods, following concerns that the disease could spread there from our apples.

Check out more on the story here.