September 8, 2020

Australia and Singapore agree to ASF pre-emptive zoning arrangement

David Littleproud, Australia's Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management, said the African swine fever (ASF) pre-emptive zoning arrangement between Australia and Singapore provides assurance for Australian exports in the event of an ASF outbreak in Australia.

The arrangement has been funded through the Australian government's AUD 66.6 million ASF response package, which has been used to fund biosecurity officers, detector dogs and three-dimensional x-ray machines installed at airports and mail centres.

Littleproud said Singapore is Australia's biggest swine meat export market, with over AUD 60 million in value shipped between 2019 to 2020. 

He said the Australian government is committed to safeguarding the country's AUD 60 billion agricultural industry protected from biosecurity threats.

The new arrangement covers potential scenarios to minimise trade disruption if an ASF pandemic were to be reported in Australia, but most importantly ensures pork exports will continue from non-affected states or territories.

Margo Andrae, Australian Pork Limited (APL) chief executive officer, welcomed the Australia - Singapore ASF pre-emptive zoning arrangement, which ensures the exports of Australian pork to Singapore.

She said continued, conditional access to overseas markets would restrict the ASF's commercial impact on Australia should it be detected in the country, adding that APL is pleased to have worked together with both governments on behalf of Australian farmers.

-      Australian government