[DAFF 24 Sept. 2010] -- The Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) has referred cases to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions following the detection of four separate quarantine breaches by passengers at Adelaide airport during routine luggage inspections. By allegedly importing prohibited plant material the passengers put Australia's economy and environment at risk. As well as a live hitch-hiking spider, AQIS officers detected prohibited, and in some cases concealed, items including:
exotic flora and bulbs
live plants with roots and soil attached
seeds that could be used for propagation
a live cactus.
AQIS Executive Manager, Passengers and Mail, Mr Tim Chapman said the material brought in posed great risk to Australia
"Illegal importation of plants and seeds can undermine Australia's plant health status and threaten Australia's access to international markets putting at risk more than $32 billion of agricultural exports a year," said Mr Chapman.
"Australia's agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries provide employment for 272,000 people in rural and regional areas. Material brought into Australia carrying exotic pests and disease put these jobs at risk."
Due to the risks involved with these items AQIS has chosen to pursue formal prosecutions instead of on-the-spot fines. Individuals who fail to comply with quarantine laws could be fined up to $66,000 and face up to 10 years in jail.
The seizures send a strong message to travellers that Australia means business when it comes to protecting our agricultural industries from exotic pests and diseases, Mr Chapman said.
"Travellers must declare all food, plant material and animal products for inspection on arrival in Australia. If they don't they are putting Australia at risk".
AQIS officers screen all incoming international flights using a combination of detector dogs, x-ray and physical inspection of luggage.
For more information on what can and can't be brought into Australia visit www.aqis.gov.au.