After reporting
the on-going spat between pork producers and Australian quarantine over
US pork imports yesterday, there are rumblings that the federal
government has now intervened to try to get US pork back on Australian
tables.

While a spokesperson for agriculture minister Warren
Truss denies any political influence in quarantine arrangements, Crikey
hears that two weeks ago cabinet resolved to push forward with an
appeal against Justice Wilcox’s ruling which bans any further licences
allowing the US to import pork into Australia – a decision that should
have been made by director of animal and plant quarantine, Joanna
Hewitt.

With the government coming under fire from Australian
pork farmers over claims they’ve sold out pork producers in the
Australia/US free trade deal, and reports that the US is willing to
take the issue to the World Trade Organisation if it doesn’t get its
way, the government seems to be overly keen to please its new trading
partner.

Know anything about the rumours? Email michael.newhouse@privatemedia.com.au.