What's really going to change with news that the World Trade Organisation(WTO) has decided in New Zealand's favour on getting apples into Australia?

Our Ozzie neighbour  has successfully kept our apples out for almost 90 years and doesn't look about to stop now. As the appeal process, yet again, wends on its way, can't New Zealand growers be forgiven for feeling that they've become pawns in a much,much larger game? The Government wants the victory to assure itself that the WTO is the best way to resolve international trade disputes, as well as the symbolic victory of beating the Australians at something they are so passionate about.

But shoppers couldn't really care about these issues at all - they want a nice, crisp apple to bite into and would love to be exposed to some of the new and different tasting varieties now widely grown in this country.

Thinking laterally, can't some entrepreneur do something with the concept of fruit-tasting tourism? Groups of Australia foodies could be brought to New Zealand during apple harvesting to taste fruit straight off the trees. The tour might be called Forbidden Fruit and gain quite a following, with the underlying purpose of highlighting a serious issue.

But by next year's harvest New Zealand apples might well be allowed into Australia? Don't hold your breath!