October will see the end of an era when the New Zealand apple and pear industry is finally deregulated. Regulations will be revoked on October 1 at the end of the season allowing growers a choice of exporters competing on an equal footing. The decision has been the subject of often acrimonious debate within the industry, set against an unsustainable half way house with some export licences being granted, but statutory marketing company Enza still controlling the majority of fruit. Meanwhile the NZ Pipfruit Exporters' Council has announced it is forming a producer group of grower/packer/exporters which will work with Enza. {{M/E FRESH PRODUCE }}

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