Australian Pork Limited (APL) said it strongly supports today’s court decision against a West Australian pork business and two individuals, who were sentenced for the deliberate and long-term biosecurity breach of illegally importing semen for competitive advantage.
Margo Andrae, CEO of APL, said that since authorities uncovered the alleged breach in January 2017, APL had worked closely to support investigations.
“This producer’s actions openly flouted Australia’s strict biosecurity laws and had the potential to damage Australia’s $5.3 billion pork industry, as well as the livelihoods of more than 2,500 Australian pig farmers and 36,000 supply chain workers.
“At a time when Australia’s pork industry and the Australian Government is focussed on keeping out African Swine Fever as is spreads across the globe, it’s a timely reminder that it only takes one reckless producer to put the entire industry at risk.”
Ms Andrae continued: “More critically, if foot and mouth disease was to get into the country, it would be catastrophic for Australia’s broader livestock production system with an estimated economic cost of $50 billion over 10 years.
“The actions of this business threatened to completely undermine Australia’s rigorous biosecurity measures and compromised the integrity, safety and value of Australian food production.”
