Quarantine legs it with passenger's pork
23 February 2006
AQIS 20603NESB
During the Chinese New Year festival, Chinese tourists often bring gifts and delectable goodies for family and friends in Australia. But few could beat the latest treat – a whole cooked pig’s leg, complete from hip to trotter.
On arrival in Australia last week, the passenger correctly informed the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) he was carrying food and presented the beautifully packaged and vacuum packed delicacy for inspection.
“The pork leg was a New Year’s gift for the passenger’s father,” Quarantine Inspector David Cook said. Unfortunately, because China has both foot and mouth disease and classical swine fever – both of which are highly contagious and can be spread in pigmeat - I explained to the passenger that the four-kilogram pork leg was not allowed into Australia.”
“He was very disappointed as the treat was one of his father’s favourite foods. However he understood AQIS’s concerns and surrendered the pork leg for destruction under quarantine supervision, Mr Cook said.
Classical swine fever is a viral disease of pigs. Foot and mouth disease can affect all cloven-footed animals, including cattle, sheep, pigs and goats. Both of these diseases could cause serious production losses and affect international trade if they were to enter Australia.
Last year more than 1.2 tonnes of pork products were seized at Australian airports from passengers who were travelling from China. This amount of pork equates to almost 10,000 average serves of sweet and sour pork.
Last week’s pork seizure provides a timely reminder to all travellers that AQIS screens all items of luggage. It is essential to declare all food, plant and animal products on the incoming passenger card or face the consequences of on-the-spot fines.
To find more information about Australian quarantine please:
- visit www.aqis.gov.au/chinese; or
- call AQIS on 1800 020 504 (free call in Australia); or
- contact your travel agent for a free copy of the brochures What Can't I Take Into Australia? and What Can’t Be Mailed To Australia? bothin Chinese.