A West Australian piggeries company, its manager and an employee have been before the court this morning on several charges involving the illegal importation of pig semen.
A plea was not entered for GD Pork Pty Ltd for 12 charges of aggravated illegal importation and four charges of bringing or importing conditionally non-prohibited goods into Australian territory.
GD Pork Pty Ltd managing director Torben Soerensen did not enter a plea in the Mandurah Magistrates Court on Friday, to 11 charges of aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring the commissioning of an offence.
GD Pork Pty Ltd internal consultant and technical expert Henning Laue did not enter a plea to seven charges of aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring the commissioning of an offence.
The case has been the subject of an ongoing investigation by the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources since January 2017.
The maximum penalty for an illegal importation to obtain a commercial advantage is 10 years jail and a $420,000 fine.
These imports can also increase the risk of African swine fever arriving in Australia.
- The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources
The maximum penalty for a corporation is $2.1 million.
Lawyer Ian Rogers, who represented Mr Soerensen and GD Pork Pty Ltd, asked Magistrate Anne Longden if the charges could be adjourned to a committal mention in Perth early next year.
Federal prosecutor Hugh Kopsen, representing the Department of Agriculture, asked if both accused men could re-sign their bail undertaking paperwork.
They are due to reappear in the Perth Magistrates Court on January 18 for a committal mention. The company’s charges were adjourned to the same date.
GD Pork Pty Ltd owns piggeries at West Pinjarra, Kojonup and Kemerton.
The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources released a statement after they were charged, stating illegal imports of pig genetics could carry diseases including respiratory syndrome and Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD).
“It has been estimated that FMD could cost Australia around $50 billion over a decade if it was to arrive here,” the statement said.
“These imports can also increase the risk of African swine fever arriving in Australia.
“This disease has no known cure and is another major threat to our $5.3 billion pork industry.
“There are specific conditions for the import of animal genetic material. Breaches of these conditions will not be tolerated.”
Carla Hildebrandt
Journalist at the Mandurah Mail
Journalist at the Mandurah Mail
