Be biosecurity aware this Lunar New Year

The arrival of the Year of the Rabbit tomorrow is a reminder to be biosecurity aware this Lunar New Year.

Acting Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and Acting Director of Biosecurity, Dr Chris Locke, said Lunar New Year gifts could be stopped at the border as they may pose an unacceptable risk to Australia.

“I know this is the time of year when family and loved ones from overseas want to reach out and send presents. Unfortunately, there are some traditional gifts for Lunar New Year that could introduce pests and diseases into Australia,” Dr Locke said.

“We often see items at the border that contain pork, fruit, plants, herbs, and eggs. Items like these could pose a high risk of introducing pests and diseases.

“Pork, for example, is a serious risk as it can carry both foot and mouth disease (FMD) and African swine fever (ASF). FMD is a highly contagious disease affecting many animals Australia relies on for food, milk and fibre. A widespread FMD outbreak could cost the Australian economy $80 billion over ten years. ASF would ravage our pork industry, market access and economy.

“Australia remains ASF and FMD free, but we must continue to stay alert to the risk.”

Fruit, plants, and herbs could carry diseases such as citrus canker and fire blight, which attack fruit trees, destroying Australia’s horticulture industry and barring our producers from overseas trade.

“If you want to buy gifts for your family this year, buy locally. There are Australian businesses who stock plenty of traditional Lunar New Year gifts,” Dr Locke said.

“If you have relatives or friends overseas who might send gifts, make sure they are aware of what they can and can’t send to Australia by checking the department’s website or the imports database, BICON.

“If you’re travelling to Australia for the New Year, make sure you complete your incoming passenger card truthfully, by marking YES on your card to declare if you are carrying certain food, plant material or animal products.

“If you fail to declare biosecurity risk items, you may receive an infringement notice of up to $5,500 and you may have your visa cancelled. Not packing any of these products and buying locally in Australia is a much safer option and will also reduce your time at the airport!

Australia’s agricultural industry and environment rely on all of us playing our part to keep out dangerous pests and diseases.

To check what you can bring into Australia, visit www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/travelling/bringing-mailing-goods.