Access has been granted for uncooked pork meat and products containing Kiwi pork. Uncooked pork meat will, however, require further processing once it arrives in Australia.
Exports can start immediately.
“NZ has a very strong meat regulatory system, which is held in high regard by our trading partners,” Primary Industries Ministry policy and trade deputy director-general Jarred Mair said.
“These have helped towards enabling access to Australia for our pork and pork products.
“We appreciate and would like to acknowledge the support of the NZ pork industry in reaching this milestone.”
NZ’s pork exports are limited to a small number of markets, such as the Pacific Islands and Singapore.
In the year to June 30, 2017, NZ exported about 173 tonnes of pork worth $1 million.
NZ Pork chairman Ian Carter said access to Australia for NZ pork will provide a positive boost for NZ’s pork industry.
“Commercial pig farmers in NZ are passionate about the care and expertise they invest in farming their pigs.
“We see the granting of access to Australia as an important formative step to explore export markets that value the qualities associated with pork and pork products produced from pigs born and raised in NZ, backed by PigCare – the industry’s independently managed animal welfare assurance programme – and the sector’s world-leading high health status.
“We are grateful for MPI’s support in facilitating this first step,” he said.
