Chicken little - big risk

Quarantine inspectors at Cairns International Airport have commended two passengers from China who declared food items of quarantine concern this week — and who helped manage the risk of diseases such as deadly strains of avian influenza making their way into Australia.

The couple, who arrived on Chinese New Year, had declared 2 kilograms of food including 1 kg of chicken toes, whole chicken feet, hundred-year-old eggs and dried beef. 

Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) inspectors released a kilo of sweets and processed snacks that met Australia’s strict quarantine requirements. 

The passengers were offered the option of re-exporting the high-risk poultry and beef products to China, but chose to surrender the items for destruction.

According to AQIS Airport Manager Ashley Smith, “Passengers who declare items of quarantine concern at the border aren’t penalised, since many of them are simply unaware of Australia’s entry requirements.”

On-the-spot fines for minor quarantine breaches are now $220 for travellers who flout quarantine legislation, and more serious offenders face fines of more than $60,000 and the possibility of a criminal record. 

Before the products are destroyed, they will be used (under tight quarantine control) to test four new AQIS recruits during a practical examination at the end of their initial five weeks’ intensive training.

Tiffany Yu, a new Quarantine recruit and active member of Cairns’ Chinese Community, will be deployed at Cairns International Airport to help process passengers arriving in Australia.

Tiffany says, “The Chinese community is very interested in supporting AQIS to protect Australia from exotic pests, weeds and diseases. Quarantine is working with the community and the inbound tourism industry to get information to travellers before they leave home and avoid disappointment for visitors at the border.”