Pigmeat imports

15 June 2005

DAFF05/2D

Australia’s acting Director of Quarantine has acknowledged Orders made today by a Federal Court Judge relating to the importation of pigmeat.

The acting Director said that urgent legal advice on the effects of the Orders has been obtained with a view to immediate implementation of the Orders.

The acting Director has confirmed, however, that an appeal against the Court’s decisions will also be lodged immediately and the Court will be asked to hear the appeal as soon as possible. 

In the meantime, the Court has set aside the permit issued to one importer.  That importer was a respondent to the Court proceedings.  The Court made no specific Order in relation to permits held by importers who were not parties to the legal proceedings.  Imports of pigmeat in accordance with those permits can therefore continue under current arrangements and are not affected by the Court’s Orders issued today. 

In accordance with the Court’s Orders, no new permit will be granted at this time for the importation of pigmeat into Australia that is based on the risk management measures that were successfully challenged. 

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is carefully considering what further action can be taken to address the issues raised by the Court.  These issues related to one aspect of a disease assessment in the import risk analysis that underpinned the policy for pigmeat imports into Australia.

The acting Director of Quarantine confirmed Australia’s strong and continuing commitment to a rigorous, science-based approach to quarantine and to protecting Australia’s highly favourable pest and disease status.

Further inquiries:

David Finlayson DAFF Media +61 2 6272 3232