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Quarantine tips for international travellers and shoppers - help keep Australia free from foot and mouth
4 May 2001
AQIS today urged travellers returning from overseas shopping sprees, holidays or business to help protect Australia from potentially devastating diseases like foot and mouth (FMD) by observing a few simple travel tips.
Travellers who have been to non-metropolitan areas anywhere other than the United States of America, Canada or New Zealand, particularly those who have been on a farm or in contact with farm animals, are urged to:
- declare all possibly contaminated clothing, shoes and equipment for quarantine inspection;
- wash all clothing brought into Australia, or have clothing commercially dry cleaned; and
- not have any contact with farm animals (particularly cloven-hoofed animals) for SEVEN days after entering Australia.
Travellers are also reminded to buy 'safe' souvenirs to bring back into Australia — one borer-riddled wooden souvenir can wreak havoc on our agricultural industries and natural environment. No matter what country goods are bought from, AQIS calls for travellers to:
- look closely at wooden items for holes, sawdust or any signs of boring insects;
- read labels on food packets to make sure they don't contain prohibited ingredients, like egg or dairy products;
- consider if the item is made from, or contains, plant or animal material such as seeds, wood, feathers, rawhide or bone;
- be cautious about claims such as 'treated for export', 'export quality', 'processed', 'fumigated' or government stickers that say the goods have been inspected - they may not meet Australian quarantine requirements or health standards;
- beware of so-called 'experts' overseas - they may not know the latest Australian quarantine requirements;
- remember that posted or shipped goods to Australia are still subject to quarantine. Clearance fees on shipped goods may be required.
Travellers should complete their traveller's statement, listing all declared goods; clean all footwear, camping or sporting equipment to remove any trace of soil; and pack goods for quarantine inspection in one bag, preferably at the top of the bag. This will help get out of the airport faster.
AQIS web site travel information - http://www.aqis.gov.au/travel
National Quarantine Week, 30 April - 6 May
For further information:
Contact: Carson Creagh, AQIS media
Phone: 02 6272 5156
Mobile: 0414 577 472