Hopeful Reprieve for Pork Industry

NEW ZEALAND - Labour’s Primary Industries spokesperson, Damien O’Connor, has welcomed the Supreme Court's order for an interim ban on the import of raw pork products.

13 June 2013

2 minute read

Oceania

Mr O'Connor said: "I support New Zealand Pork’s bid to stop the changes to Import Health Standards that will increase the risk of Porcine Reproductive Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) incursions. Any meat that risks undermining New Zealand’s disease-free status should not be brought into the country.

According to him, the New Zealand Government seems determined to expose the country to various biosecurity risks irrespective of industry and scientific advice.

He continued: "That position has meant the industry has had to spend an enormous amount fighting all the way to the Supreme Court.

"“I repeat my earlier call for Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy to step in now and call a halt to these changes. Yes, we need to trade, but we need to protect our PRRS-free status even more."

The interim ban will be in place until the case against the Ministry of Primary Industries has been heard.