NEW Zealand Prime Minister John Key could soon find himself biting into a crunchy Stanthorpe apple if Australia wins the 2011 Rugby World Cup, Federal Member for Maranoa Bruce Scott said.

During his visit to Parliament House this week, Mr Key said he and Prime Minister Julia Gillard had devised a unique wager for the Rugby World Cup.

Should Australia meet the All Blacks in the final, Mr Key said the leader of the losing country would have to eat an apple from the winning country and spend 60 seconds discussing its merits.

Mr Scott said he would be the first in line to give Mr Key an apple from the Stanthorpe region when the Wallabies snatched victory later this year.

“One thing I can assure is the New Zealand Prime Minister will not be eating an apple which could have been exposed to fire blight when the Wallabies win,” he said.

“I will be there to give Prime Minister Key a delicious apple from the Stanthorpe region which is clean, green and free from any diseases.

“All I can say is that Prime Minister Key may soon be enjoying some humble but very delicious Australian (apple) pie.”

Granite Belt orchardist Ugo Tomasel said, jokes aside, it was good to see the issue remaining in the forefront of the prime ministers’ minds.

“It’s obviously a big deal for the Kiwis if they are talking about it like that,” he said.

But Mr Tomasel said he was more focused on the campaign against New Zealand apple imports, which Apple and Pear Australia Limited (APAL) had stepped up in recent weeks.

“There is a lot happening behind the scenes at the moment,” he said.

“All of APAL will be meeting here in Stanthorpe next Tuesday.

“We have engaged another PR company and there will be lots of promotion going on.”

Mr Tomasel said he had no doubt Mr Key would enjoy the taste of a Stanthorpe apple.

“We are very confident in our fruit,” he said.

Earlier this year Ms Gillard stood up in New Zealand Parliament and said Kiwi apples would be welcomed into Australia for the first time in 90 years.

Local farmers were up in arms about the statement.

In May, Biosecurity Australia handed down a list of protocols for apple importation, which was also met with disdain from orchardists.

It said the only requirements were standard orchard practices, but there would be no way for Australia to enforce or determine what those practices were.

The industry has until mid-August to raise to objections to the protocols.