A formal pre-emptive zoning arrangement will facilitate the export of Australian pig meat between Singapore and Australia in the event of an outbreak of African swine fever (ASF). This positive outcome is a result of the constructive relationship and ongoing collaboration between both countries.
Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management, David Littleproud said the pre-emptive zoning arrangement would improve certainty for export trade for the pig meat sector in the event of an outbreak of this serious disease.
"Singapore is Australia's single largest export market for pig meat with exports of over $60 million in 2019-20 and I express my gratitude to the Singaporean government for agreeing to these arrangements," Minister Littleproud said.
"The Australian Government remains committed to keeping Australia's $60 billion agricultural sector free of biosecurity threats, including ASF.
"Just last week two men had their visas cancelled after attempting to bring in nearly 5 kg of pork and pork products, seriously breaching Australia's biosecurity laws.
"If ASF were to reach Australia it could have a significant impact on pig health and production and contribute to wider economic impacts caused by a loss of access to overseas markets for our pork products.
"The zoning arrangement is comprehensive and covers a range of potential scenarios to minimise trade disruption in the event of an ASF outbreak in Australia, including ensuring exports can continue from non-affected states or territories if the disease is detected in domestic pigs.
"The zoning arrangement is funded through the Australian Government's $66.6 million ASF Response Package which has also funded more biosecurity officers, detector dogs and high-tech three-dimensional x-ray machines on the front line of airports and mail centres."
Australian Pork Limited (APL) Chief Executive Officer, Margo Andrae, said the Australian pork industry and APL warmly welcomed the announcement of the Australia-Singapore ASF pre-emptive zoning arrangement.
"We extend our thanks to the Australian and Singaporean governments for concluding this important arrangement, which will help maintain the flow of Australian pork exports to Singapore in the event of an outbreak," Ms Andrae said.
"This is an important win for Singaporean consumers as well as for Aussie pig farmers, who now have greater certainty of access to export markets.
"Continued, conditional access to overseas markets could help limit the commercial impact of an ASF outbreak in Australia. As such, the arrangement is a central pillar in APL's ASF preparedness strategy.
"APL is pleased to have worked with both governments on behalf of farmers in support of this positive outcome."
