Biosecurity Australia's most recent report on the potential risk of importing fresh apples from China has been referred to an eminent scientists' group.

Biosecurity Australia issued its draft import-risk analysis earlier this year, and after receiving 10 submissions, has sent it to the scientists' group for a maximum of 60 days.

Biosecurity Australia will take the recommendations of the group into account in producing a provisional final IRA report, which will be open to formal appeal.

The Rudd Government must address the concerns of Victoria's apple and pear growers before allowing the importation of Chinese apples, Agriculture Shadow Minister and Nationals deputy leader Peter Walsh said.

"Victorian growers deserve to see the government's final report before any decision about the importation of Chinese apples is made," Mr Walsh said.

"Many Victorian apple and pear growers believe the risk-assessment process carried out by the Rudd Government was rushed and incomplete."

Mr Walsh said Victoria - Australias largest producer of apples - deserved the right to veto any trade deal if the final risk assessment did not thoroughly address fears of disease.

He said Victorian producers had been given no information on how trade volumes would be monitored and what mechanisms would be put in place to deal with a greater volume of apples than originally anticipated.

Further information is on the Biosecurity Australia website at www.biosecurityaustralia.gov.au