The Australian pork industry is keenly watching the ongoing legal saga between MAF and the New Zealand Pork Industry Board over allowing uncooked pork meat to enter the country.

NZ Pork is currently challenging MAF in the Wellington High Court over its decision to give the green light to imported uncooked pork meat.

NZ Pork claims the pig meat could bring in new exotic diseases like Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome, or PRRS.

Monitoring the proceedings from across the ditch the Australians say New Zealand’s outcome could greatly affect them.

This week, in a media release titled “These Little Piggy’s Should Not Come To Market”, four Australian Senators have called for an urgent review of Australia’s own quarantine standards.

Liberal Senator for New South Wales, Bill Heffernan says PRRS is considered to be the HIV-equivalent of the pig world.

He says if New Zealand lowers its importation standards, it could have a devastating impact on Australia’s pig herd.

MAF Deputy Director of General Standards, Carol Barnao says MAF is unaware of Australia’s concerns.

Carol Barnao says MAF is considering appealing the High Court’s decision which has banned the importation of uncooked pork meat for the duration of the trial.

 Recently, Labour agriculture spokesman Damien O’Connor told country99tv he suspects MAFs trade people won out over its bio-security staff.