March 20, 2013

New Zealand's pig farmers have failed in a legal bid to overturn a government decision of permitting raw pork imports from countries with Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS).

The disease causes still-born piglets and respiratory illnesses in young pigs. It costs the US swine industry more than US$600 yearly.

In a two-to-one decision, the Court of Appeal overturned the NZ Pork Industry Board's appeal against an earlier High Court decision.

The board had challenged the Ministry of Primary Industries' (MPI) response to an independent review panel report on raw meat imports, which allowed raw pork imports from the EU, Canada, US and Mexico.

Board chairman Ian Carter said the court's decision was disappointing, as farmers have concerns about the safety of raw pork imports.

However, MPI director-general, Wayne McNee, says he is confident it effectively manages the risks of diseases, such as PRRS, in New Zealand.

He added that, under the new standards, raw pork may only be imported without further treatment in consumer-ready cuts of less than three kilogrammes, free from lymphatic tissue.

According to NZ Pork, a total of 41,384 tonnes of pork was imported in 2011/2012, of which 97.5% was frozen. Canada was the biggest supplier, followed by the US, Finland and Australia.