In response to the threat of animal diseases spreading in the region, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has increased its surveillance and testing of meat and other animal products, both at the border and through targeted checking of retail outlets.
Some pork products have been removed from supermarket shelves after viral fragments of both foot and mouth disease (FMD) and African swine fever (ASF) were detected during testing in Melbourne.
However, this find does not change Australia’s disease-free status for FMD and ASF, as there is no threat to human health from these diseases.
Breaches of Australia’s biosecurity are taken very seriously. Penalties for those who do the wrong thing include imprisonment for up to 10 years or a fine of up to $1,110,000 (or $5,550,000 for corporate entities) or both.
Go to www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/travelling/bringing-mailing-goods for more details.
