July 8, 2005

Australia currently testing for pig disease

Australia is conducting tests that will determine whether the pig disease, post-weaning multi-systemic wasting syndrome (PMWS), has entered Australia.

PMWS has not been seen in Australia before, but post-mortem test results from two piggeries in South Australia and New South Wales have sparked an investigation by veterinary authorities.

The move comes after Australian Pork Limited took Federal Court action, to try to stop pork imports, claiming they were a disease risk. The director of quarantine is appealing against the court's order, banning new import permits.

Australia's chief veterinary officer, Dr Gardner Murray says pork and pork products remain safe to eat, and that the disease does not spread rapidly like foot-and-mouth disease and is being well-contained in the country's pig herds.