Australia reinstates permits for U.S. pork imports.

The Full Bench of the Australian Federal Court has upheld an appeal by Australia's director of quarantine against an earlier Court judgment that will have the effect of reinstating pork import permits. "The decision validates conditions recommended by Biosecurity Australia for imported pig meat," said Joanna Hewitt, Australia's director of animal and plant quarantine. "The Court process has highlighted that the import risk analysis process is complex and some aspects are not always easily understood," she said. For that reason, Hewitt added, the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry will examine issues raised in the Court proceedings. "Australia remains committed to rigorous science-based assessments of the quarantine risks associated with potential imports to protect Australia's important agricultural industries," said Hewitt.

In the United States, the National Pork Producers Council welcomed the decision. NPPC President Don Buhl noted that the court's decision upholds the risk assessment conducted by Australia's Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. "This is a great victory for U.S. pork producers who supply a safe, high-quality product second to none in the world," said Buhl.