The United States is a step closer to exporting apples to Australia, as import conditions and procedures are drafted and finalised.
Australian growers have held urgent talks with trade officials to ensure strict biosecurity controls are put in place.
Concerns remain about the economic impact of the imports, as well as the potential spread of exotic diseases.
Australia's apple industry has held urgent talks in Canberra as the United States edges closer to exporting its fruit to Australia.
Following decades of lobbying, American growers were given the green light by Australia in 2022 to send their apples across the Pacific.
Before shipments begin, the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry needs to publish import conditions on its biosecurity website.
The United States is the second-largest apple-growing country in the world behind China, with the bulk of production in the Pacific Northwest, including Washington.
At the moment, nearly all apples consumed in Australia are grown locally, with less than 1 per cent imported from China and New Zealand.
A DAFF spokesperson confirmed the department was in "ongoing discussions with the US" about apple imports.
His biggest fear was that Australia's biosecurity system would not be strong enough to keep them out.
Half of Australia's apples are grown in Victoria's Goulburn and Murray Valleys.
"I'm very concerned because of the biosecurity risk," said Mr Birrell, who has a background in agricultural science and also worked in the fruit industry.
Five varieties of genetically modified apples are sold in the United States, but there are no GM varieties in Australia.