Traveller stopped at Perth Airport with 6kg of meat is deported amid foot and mouth disease fear
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Traveler fined $2,664 and banned from Australia after stashing six pounds of meat in his suitcase – as fears of foot-and-mouth disease persist
- International traveler fined and refused entry to Australia after importing meat
- Foreigner was arrested at Perth Airport and found with six kilos of meat
- His visa was canceled and expelled as fears of foot-and-mouth disease mount
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An international tourist has been fined and refused entry to Australia after trying to bring meat into the country amid growing fears of the spread of foot-and-mouth disease.
The unnamed foreigner was fined $2,664 after attempting to smuggle six kilograms of meat through Perth Airport, in Western Australia, on Oct. 18.
The traveler did not report 3.1 kg of duck, 1.4 kg of beef rendang, more than 500 grams of frozen beef and almost 900 grams of chicken hidden in his luggage.
He had stated on his incoming passenger card that he would not bring any meat, poultry or other food into the country.
Australia stepped up protection against foot-and-mouth disease at its international airports earlier this year after an outbreak in Indonesia.
An international traveler has been fined and denied entry to Australia after trying to bring meat into the country as fears of the spread of foot-and-mouth disease mount
Australia stepped up protection against foot-and-mouth disease at its international airports earlier this year after an outbreak in Indonesia (pictured, livestock in Indonesia)
Agriculture Minister Murray Watt and Home Secretary Clare O’Neil said the traveler was referred to Australian border guards and his visa was cancelled.
Ms O’Neil described it as a ‘significant breach’ of Australia’s biosafety law.
“Therefore, legislation is in place to cancel the visa of any traveler who commits a significant biosafety breach or repeatedly violates biosafety laws,” she said.
Foot-and-mouth disease is highly transmissible and causes lesions and lameness in cattle, sheep, goats and other cloven-hoofed animals, but does not affect humans.
The types of meat found in the man’s luggage posed a risk of foot-and-mouth disease and African swine fever.
āThe actions of Biosecurity Officers and ABF at the border have once again protected the Australian community and our agricultural sector from harmful biosecurity risks that could cause massive damage,ā said Ms O’Neil.
“Strictly enforcing our borders ensures a strong biosecurity system to protect our international trade reputation as a leading supplier of safe, healthy and high-quality food.”
In Indonesia, authorities have been working to contain an outbreak that has infected hundreds of thousands of animals and killed thousands
The government has estimated that a major outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Australia could lose up to $51.8 billion in revenue in a decade.
“Therefore, legislation is in place to cancel the visa of any traveler who commits a significant biosafety breach or repeatedly violates biosafety laws,” Ms O’Neil added.
Travelers whose visa has been canceled will be deported from Australia on the first available flight.
In Indonesia, authorities have been working to contain an outbreak that has infected hundreds of thousands of animals and killed thousands.