The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has announced that its biosecurity operations are to focus on mail in the lead up to Christmas to make sure no unwanted gifts arrive in the post.
In a statement, the Department said a Quarantine WA inspector, appointed earlier this year, and a detector dog had been undertaking screening of freight and mail at freight yards and Australia Post locations across the metropolitan area.
“Additional inspectors and detector dogs are also supporting the screening of freight and mail due to the reduced number of interstate passenger flights arriving into WA,” the DPIRD said.
“This is vitally important in the lead up to Christmas to make sure items coming into WA via the post are not carrying unwanted pests, disease and weeds that have the potential to impact the State’s agriculture, aquaculture and fisheries industries and natural resources,” it said.
Minister for Agriculture and Food, Alannah MacTiernan urged people to ensure their Christmas online shopping did not become a biosecurity nightmare for farmers.
“Many people are unaware that popular Christmas produce like cherries, stone fruit, honey, walnuts in shell and flowers pose a major biosecurity risk to our State, potentially carrying highly destructive pests and diseases into our community,” Ms MacTiernan said.
“Having a dedicated quarantine officer and detector dog screening our mail and freight helps us to stay on top of the fight against unwanted pests, diseases and weeds coming into our State,” she said.
Ms MacTiernan said these pests and diseases could increase costs for primary producers and disrupt export and domestic trade for agriculture, forest, aquaculture and commercial fishing.
