The Australian government says it plans to appeal a federal court ruling restricting pork imports into Australia.

In late May, an Australian judge banned the import of pork products from the United States, Canada and several other countries, ruling that the imports would put Australian swine at risk for post weaning multisystemic wasting disease, which kills millions of piglets worldwide every year.

The pork industry wants most pig meat imports to be banned immediately, but David Finlayson, from the Department of Agriculture, says the appeal is necessary. "The director of quarantine decided to lodge an appeal with the Full Federal Court after thorough examination of the judgment and legal advice," he said. "Because of its commercial ramifications for all parts of the pork industry, as well as the uncertainty for quarantine arrangements more broadly, the director also intends to seek an expedition of the hearing."