July 23, 2007

Australian pork farmers demand tougher import regulations

Hog farmers in Australia are appealing to the Federal Government to tighten its restrictions on pork imports as recent returns were way below cost of production due to cheap imports and high feed grain prices.

The farmers also complained of having to deal with the costs of an animal welfare code, quality assurance scheme and environmental standards.

Australian Pork Limited's Andrew Spencer says US importers do not face the same costs and European imports are heavily subsidised which make their products cheaper.

He said the government must guard imports to protect the local industry from further losses.