The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources (DAWR) has adopted a tough new attitude towards enforcing the rules against travellers bringing plant and animal matter into Australia without declaring they were
Minister for Agriculture, David Littleproud said the Department’s new attitude would involve international travellers facing fines, possible criminal prosecution and/or court proceedings.
“We need a penalties-based system, not a warnings-based system,” Mr Littleproud said.
He said his office would work with the office of the Minister for Immigration to explore ways to refuse entry to any traveller who offended for a second time.
He said the moves followed confirmation that both African Swine Fever and Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) had been detected in meat confiscated at airports by Department of Agriculture staff.
“FMD can be transferred to animals through eating plant or animal matter or by coming into contact with the virus,” Mr Littleproud said.
“Once the disease is established it would likely spread through close contact between animals, and also through the air over short distances, affecting sheep, cattle, deer, goats and pigs,” he said.
“Studies have estimated $50 billion of economic losses over 10 years if there was a large to medium outbreak of FMD in Australia.”
He said he would not tolerate travellers risking Australian farming.
“No light touches or slaps on the wrists,” the Minister said.
“I expect the Department of Agriculture to issue fines against any person who fails to declare meat in their luggage.
“I’m not interested in excuses. If foot and mouth disease got to Australia it’d be a genuine disaster,” Mr Littleproud said.
