Privacy statement

Corporate Privacy Policy

Australian Pork Limited (ABN 83 092 783 278) ('APL', 'we', 'us', 'our') values and respects the privacy of the people we deal with. This policy outlines how APL collects, holds, uses, and discloses your personal information. We are committed to protecting your privacy and complying with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (Privacy Act) and other applicable laws and regulations.  

By providing APL with your personal information, you consent to it being collected, stored, used, and disclosed as outlined in this policy, and as permitted under the Privacy Act.

If you provide APL with personal information about another person, you agree that:

• you have made that person aware of their rights under the Privacy Act and the Privacy Principles;
• APL may contact that person without notifying you; and
• APL may disclose your identity to that person and the fact that you have provided their personal information to us.

2. What is personal information

The term "personal information" has the meaning given to it in the Privacy Act. This is any information or opinion about an identified individual, or an individual who is reasonably identifiable. The information or opinion does not have to be true or recorded in a material form.

Business information generally doesn't fall under this definition, but it may if it relates to sole traders and partnerships. When business information contains personal information, this policy will apply to the personal information component.

3. What is sensitive information

APL does not generally collect sensitive information as defined by the Privacy Act. This includes information about your racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, membership of a trade union or other professional body, sexual preferences, criminal record, or health information. APL will only collect sensitive information when required by law or with your consent. If APL holds any sensitive personal information, it will only be used and disclosed for the purpose for which it was provided. If APL asks for sensitive information, we will explain why.

4. What personal information do we collect

The personal information APL collects and holds depends on the nature of your interaction with us. APL may collect the following information from you:

• name and title
• mailing or street address
• email address
• telephone number
• age or date of birth
• image (via a photograph)
• signature
• occupation or connection to the pork industry
• information about your business operations
• location information from a mobile application
• credit card details (for product purchases)
• license numbers or certifications
• frequent flyer details
• dietary requirements
• information from your résumé (for job applications)

You are not required to provide us with your personal information. Where possible, you have the option to interact with us anonymously or by using a pseudonym. However, if you choose not to provide your personal information, APL may not be able to assist you with information, services, or inclusion in APL programs and activities.

5. How we collect your personal information

APL collects personal information when you provide it yourself in person, by telephone, email, post, through the "contact us" form on our websites, at APL events, by completing application forms and surveys, subscribing to our mailing list, applying for a job, or entering into arrangements for programs like PigPass, APIQ®, and MI Pork.

APL also automatically collects certain anonymous information when you visit our websites. This includes your browser type, server address, operating system, IP address, how and when you use the websites, and previous websites visited. This information is used for internal purposes to track visitor traffic and trends and to improve your experience on our websites.

6. Collecting personal information from third parties

APL may collect personal information from third parties or publicly available sources. This could be from people or organizations in the pork industry, or government departments and agencies that have already collected and aggregated information. We may also engage a third party to assist with sponsorships, training programs, events, surveys, or research.

7. How do we use your personal information

APL uses the personal information it collects to carry out its functions and activities. When APL requests your information, it will state the general purposes for its use, who it may be disclosed to, and the consequences of not providing it.

APL's general purposes for using your personal information may include:

• providing you with services and information about APL's programs and activities;
• conducting specific projects you have chosen to participate in;
• developing and delivering APL programs, including PigPass, APIQ® and MI Pork;
• conducting activities related to quarantine, biosecurity, trade, market access, and animal health and welfare;
• enhancing the traceability of pigs from the processing line back to their farm of origin;
• undertaking research, innovation, marketing, and policy development for the Australian pork industry;
• administering events;
• updating our records and managing your membership;
• disseminating information on the pig industry or pork products to you;
• responding to any complaints you make; and
• complying with legal requirements.

APL may also use and disclose information to:

• lessen or prevent a serious threat to public health, safety, animal health, animal welfare, the environment, biosecurity, or food safety;
• prevent, investigate, or prosecute criminal offenses or seriously improper conduct; or
• comply with applicable laws that require or authorise disclosure.

8. Disclosure of personal information to third parties

APL may disclose your personal information to third parties in circumstances where you would reasonably expect us to. Depending on the product or service, your information may be disclosed to:

• our employees, contractors, or service providers for the operation of our business, website, or to provide services to you;
• suppliers and other third parties with whom we have commercial relationships for business, marketing, and related purposes;
• any organization for any authorised purpose with your express consent;
• the Australian Government's Department of Agriculture;
• Commonwealth and State departments and national and international bodies concerned with primary industries, agriculture, biosecurity, and livestock traceability;
• independent auditors engaged to audit pig producers' compliance with APIQ® standards;
• certain members of the Australian pork industry where necessary, such as disclosing a breeder's personal information to others in the supply chain;
• organizations that provide services to the Australian pork industry to enable them to contact you about valuable products and services; or
• APL's service providers and advisors on a confidential basis, including web hosting providers, IT administrators, accountants, and solicitors.

APL will not disclose your personal information for a secondary purpose without your express consent.

9. Transfer of personal information overseas

APL generally stores personal information on servers in Australia. However, if you are an APIQ® auditor using the 'Muddy Boots' system, your personal information may be disclosed to our third-party supplier of this system, who is located in the United Kingdom. This is done only to the extent necessary for you to access and use the system. When disclosing information to parties overseas, APL takes reasonable steps to ensure they handle the information in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles.

10. Security of personal information

APL takes reasonable steps to secure your personal information from misuse, loss, interference, and unauthorised access, modification, or disclosure. This includes:

• physical security of premises and records;
• restricting access to only necessary personnel;
• robust cyber and data security measures, such as unique user logins and firewalls;
• maintaining current software and security protocols;
• retaining information only as long as necessary; and
• training staff on data handling protocols and privacy obligations.

If you believe your personal information has been used or disclosed without authorisation, you should immediately contact APL.

11. Online activity

This policy also applies to our websites, including australianpork.com.au, pork.com.au, and apiq.com.au. While many parts of our websites can be viewed without providing personal information, you must provide it to access features for eligible members. This may include a username, password, and contact details.

Cookies

The APL websites use cookies, which are small files placed on your device with your permission. These cookies help us recognize when your device has visited our websites before, so we can distinguish you from other users. They collect information about your browsing session, such as your browser type, operating system, and pages you've viewed. This information is used on an anonymous basis to improve your experience on our websites. You can change your browser settings to not automatically download cookies, but this may affect your browsing experience and website functionality.

Analytics

Our websites use Google Analytics to collect visitor pattern information to improve our website and services. This information is not used to identify any personal details about visitors.

Security

APL takes reasonable technical and physical security measures to protect your information. However, because our websites are linked to the internet, we cannot guarantee the security of information you transmit to us online. Any personal information you send to us online is at your own risk.

Links to third party sites

APL's websites may contain links to third-party websites. If you access a third-party website through our sites, personal information may be collected by that site. APL is not responsible for the privacy practices or content of these third-party websites. We encourage you to read their privacy policies.

12. Direct marketing

APL may send you direct marketing communications about our services, opportunities, or events if you have consented to receive them. These communications may be sent via mail, SMS, and email, in accordance with applicable marketing laws. You can opt out of receiving these communications at any time by following the "unsubscribe" instructions in the communication or by contacting us.

13. Retention of personal information

We will not keep your personal information for longer than we need to. APL will take all reasonable steps to destroy or permanently de-identify personal information it holds. In most cases, we will only retain your personal information for the duration of your relationship with us or if it is no longer needed for business purposes, unless we are required to retain it by law.

14. How to access your personal information

You can request access to the personal information APL holds about you by contacting us. APL will process these requests within a reasonable time and may charge a fee to cover the costs of verifying your application and retrieving the information. If APL denies an access request, we will provide reasons.

15. How to correct your personal information

APL takes reasonable steps to ensure the personal information it holds is accurate, complete, and up to date. If you believe your personal information is inaccurate or has changed, you should promptly notify APL. Upon request, APL will take reasonable steps to correct the information or will provide reasons for not doing so.

16. How to make a complaint

If you have a complaint about how APL handles your personal information, you can use the contact information provided. You will need to provide sufficient details and any supporting evidence. APL usually responds in writing within 28 days, though we may ask for more information or let you know if the investigation will take longer. If you are not satisfied with APL's response, you have the right to contact the Office of Australian Information Commissioner (at https://www.oaic.gov.au) to lodge a complaint.

17. How to contact us

If you have a question or concern about our handling of your personal information or this policy, you can contact us as follows:

Post:

Chief Financial Officer

Australian Pork Limited

2 Brisbane Ave

Barton ACT 2600

Phone: 02 6285 2200 (Toll Free: 1800 789 099)

Email: apl@australianpork.com.au

18. Changes to this policy

APL may amend this policy from time to time, and the updated version will be published on APL's website. Your continued use of APL's websites or services, or providing further personal information after the policy has been amended, constitutes your acceptance of the changes.

This privacy policy was last updated on 5 March 2025.

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