The Productivity Commission’s inquiry report into the ‘Australian Pigmeat Industry’, was released on 16 August 2005. The Commission was asked to examine the competitive situation and outlook for the pigmeat industry in Australia. It found that while the pig producing and processing sectors continue to experience structural change, the industry is being increasingly integrated into world markets and profitability is on the rise after a slum between 2002 and 2003. Some key findings from the report included: continuing improvements to internal practices are important for maintaining competitiveness with foreign competitors; assessments into the benefits and costs of R&D programs are critical to monitor the effectiveness with which the R&D programs are managed; an ongoing role for the Australian Government to press for reduced overseas barriers to pigmeat exports; the Government to ensure any regulatory requirements – such as those related to quarantine, planning and development, animal welfare and environmental impacts – are the minimum necessary to achieve their objectives. The Commission concluded that additional government assistance for the industry was not warranted.
