Australia                                  ...

Australia                                                                                    

Court Case Threatens U.S. Pork Exports To Australia

As part of a May 27 ruling, an Australian judge has asked the Australian government and a pork producer group to enter consultations to bridge differences over the recent liberalization of pork imports from the U.S. and several other countries. The Australian government is concerned that a ruling by an Australian federal court could damage trade and trade relations with exporting nations.  The judge agreed with Australia Pork Ltd. that pork imports could put hogs at risk to post weaning multisystemic wasting (PWMS) disease.

The decision has not halted Australian imports of U.S. pork, but a further ruling from the judge after the consultations might do so, raising the question of what happens to shipments on the water as well as future exports. The Australian government will likely appeal the decision if agreement with Australia Pork Ltd. cannot be reached. Until 2004, the U.S. could only export cooked pork to Australia, but the market opened after a February 2004 risk assessment reported that the likelihood of PWMS disease being brought into the country through pork imports was negligible. The first shipment of uncooked U.S. pork arrived in Australia in late October 2004. In the first quarter of 2005, the United States shipped 5,167 metric tons of pork (including variety meat) to Australia.

Australia                                                                                    

Court Case Threatens U.S. Pork Exports To Australia

As part of a May 27 ruling, an Australian judge has asked the Australian government and a pork producer group to enter consultations to bridge differences over the recent liberalization of pork imports from the U.S. and several other countries. The Australian government is concerned that a ruling by an Australian federal court could damage trade and trade relations with exporting nations.  The judge agreed with Australia Pork Ltd. that pork imports could put hogs at risk to post weaning multisystemic wasting (PWMS) disease.

The decision has not halted Australian imports of U.S. pork, but a further ruling from the judge after the consultations might do so, raising the question of what happens to shipments on the water as well as future exports. The Australian government will likely appeal the decision if agreement with Australia Pork Ltd. cannot be reached. Until 2004, the U.S. could only export cooked pork to Australia, but the market opened after a February 2004 risk assessment reported that the likelihood of PWMS disease being brought into the country through pork imports was negligible. The first shipment of uncooked U.S. pork arrived in Australia in late October 2004. In the first quarter of 2005, the United States shipped 5,167 metric tons of pork (including variety meat) to Australia.