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AQIS targets unwelcome visitors
1 November 2000
As Christmas and the gift-giving season approaches, the Australian Quarantine & Inspection Service is again targeting parcels from overseas containing items that pose a disease risk to our environment.
Last year AQIS International Mail inspectors seized and confiscated thousands of high risk prohibited items in Christmas parcels, including pine cones, cheese, pork products, dried mushrooms, mayonnaise, plant cuttings and nuts.
AQIS Program Manager, International Mail Program, Wayne Howell appealed to Australians to remind friends and relatives overseas not to send parcels containing prohibited plant and animal products as they may contain dangerous pests and diseases not found in Australia.
"Unfortunately, the risk posed to the health of Australians as well as the natural environment and our valuable agricultural industries means that AQIS can not lower its guard at any time of the year," Mr Howell said.
"The specialty foods that we find in Christmas hampers such as brandy butter, cheeses, salami and dried mushrooms as well as seasonal gifts of pine cones, spruce cuttings and straw decorations, all pose a disease risk not only to our natural environment but also to our livestock and agricultural industries.
"Australia can not afford to be complacent in relation to new pests and diseases particularly following major outbreaks of Foot-and-Mouth disease in a number of countries this year alone and the recent outbreaks of a local strain of Newcastle Disease resulting in millions of dollars worth of damage to the NSW poultry industry.
"AQIS has very effective detection methods including x-ray machines and detector dogs which ensure these illegal products are found and removed," Mr Howell said.
Check the AQIS website for Mail Program information, "What can't be mailed to Australia", available in a number of languages.
Media contacts (not for publication):
Contact: Carson Creagh - AQIS
Phone: (02) 6272 5156
Contact: Angela Calabrese - Cultural Perspectives
Phone: (02) 8585 1313