Three Queensland residents pay the price for biosecurity breaches

15 December 2011
DAFF 11/035D

Three Queensland residents have been prosecuted for breaking Australia’s strict biosecurity laws.

The first case involves a 61–year–old man who was fined $7000 for arranging plants to be imported illegally into Australia.

In October 2010, the man organised for a 43–year–old woman to bring into Australia plants from Thailand. He also provided instruction on ways to avoid biosecurity checks.

Biosecurity officers from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry at Brisbane International Airport detected 20 plant cuttings, two seeds and one bulb of the plant Aglaomena in the woman’s luggage and on her person.

The man was convicted at the Maroochydore Magistrates Court where the judge ruled that the importation of the plants posed a significant danger to the environment.

The woman, charged with importing the goods, appeared in the Brisbane Magistrates Court earlier this year and was convicted and fined $3500.

The second case involved a man, who after failing to declare apples in his luggage, refused an on–the– spot quarantine infringement notice.

The man was summoned by the Brisbane Magistrates Court where a conviction was recorded and a penalty of $500 plus court costs was imposed.

If he had accepted the infringement notice the maximum penalty applicable would have been $220.

Biosecurity North East Regional Manager, Colin Hunter, said introduced plant species such as Aglaomena could cause significant damage to Australia’s native plants and animals.

“Introduced plant species can be a danger to Australia’s environment – its unique flora and fauna,” Mr Hunter said.

“Fresh fruit from other countries can create a significant risk to our agriculture industries.

“Australians should be aware that biosecurity breaches such as these are taken seriously; all food, plant material and animal products must be declared whether you are carrying them with you or importing them.”

Failure to declare goods or making a false declaration can result in fines of up to $60,000 and imprisonment. The public can dispose of items they don’t wish to declare at quarantine bins in airport terminals before they reach the baggage examination area.

Information on incoming passenger declarations and penalties is available at DAFF Travel Information.