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Australia's most wanted seized in quarantine trifecta
8 November 2000
Busy AQIS inspectors scored a trifecta last week when they made three major interceptions of pests and diseases that rank highly on Australia's most wanted list.
Sharp-eyed inspectors intercepted the world's worst termites, the pasture weed foxtail barley and apples infested with two highly contagious diseases.
AQIS regional manager Dr Jeroen den Hollander said spring and summer are hectic seasons for Quarantine, with many pests and diseases thriving in the warmer weather.
"AQIS's major seizures in the past week are only a taste of what we'll intercept in coming months due the warm weather and increased imports," Jeroen said.
"In the lead-up to Christmas tourist numbers increase, sea and air cargo imports increase and international mail arrives by the tonne - we're in for a busy time."
The pests and diseases seized in AQIS's hat trick would have threatened a range of Australia's big industries.
Building and forestry industries were protected when a boat infested with Formosan termites, considered the world's most destructive species, was quarantine by AQIS at Fremantle after it was imported from Hong Kong.
Wool and livestock industries can rest easy after AQIS intercepted a sea cargo container of farming machinery covered in foxtail barley seeds. Inspector Louise Owen made the seizure at Fremantle wharf, almost a year since she last discovered the same weed seeds on a header imported from Canada.
Foxtail barely seed heads have sharp bristles that embed in the mouths, noses and eyes of grazing animals, causing painful abscesses and diseases such as necrotic stomatitis, calf diphtheria and lumpy jaw. They also tangle in wool, ruining quality.
Meanwhile, AQIS's seizure at Perth International Airport of apples infested with the brown rot of pome fruit has resulted in the horticultural industry being protected from the disease for the second time in only six weeks.
The diseased apples, which were also infested with apple scab, were seized from a passenger arriving from Russia. WA only recently re-declared itself free from apple scab, making it the only commercial apple growing area in the world free from the disease.
For more details
Contact: Sandra Townsend, AQIS Public Relations
Phone: (08) 9311 5333 or 0413 159 380