Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry says a significant risk to Australia’s biosecurity was prevented when biosecurity officers secured approximately 38 tonnes of risk material—including boxes of turtle meat, frog meat, plant products, avian meat, pig meat, beef meat, and raw prawns.
DAFF says a biosecurity officer noted suspicious boxes of goods at a routine inspection in New South Wales. The observations led to the department executing a warrant at a Western Sydney warehouse on 17 February, where biosecurity risk products were uncovered.
Following this, on 22 and 23 February, the Australian Federal Police assisted the department by executing multiple warrants at various locations in New South Wales connected to the warehouse. A number of warrants have been executed in relation to individuals and businesses in relation to the investigation.
At the western Sydney premises biosecurity officers diligently examined approximately 250 tonnes of goods and determined that over 38 tonnes represented a biosecurity risk, including beef, chicken, duck, pig meat, geese, frog meat, raw prawns, plant products, and soil.
Goods were removed from the site in seven twenty-foot shipping containers and remain under Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry control.
Departmental secretary, and Australia’s director of biosecurity, Andrew Metcalfe said, anyone who intentionally tries to circumvent biosecurity laws can face significant potential penalties of up to 10 years imprisonment and fines of up to $1,375,000 for an individual, or $6,875,000 for a company.
“The secured goods could have posed an unacceptable risk of introducing disease and pest for plants and animals alike. In addition, diseases and pests from imported goods would severely impact our economy, and we will work hard to protect our agriculture industries and natural environment from these threatening diseases.
“The department takes its role in managing and enforcing Australia’s biosecurity laws extremely seriously and the work of our biosecurity officers throughout this operation has been outstanding," Metcalfe said.
The investigation remains ongoing.
The Department will continue to collaborate with the Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force, and all other relevant parties throughout the next phase of the investigation.
The National Farmers Federation welcomed the bust, saying it was an important example of how Australia’s biosecurity services protect the community, environment and economy.
NFF President, Fiona Simson said Australia was fortunate to be free of many pests and diseases that could decimate the natural environment and the country’s ability to produce food and fibre.
“It’s shocking to think that people would be potentially so reckless right here in our own backyard. The illegal stockpile of exotic meats was a potential biosecurity hazard in the heart of our largest city.
“Engaging in any contravention of these systems is simply unacceptable, and could devastate our economy, our environment, and our food systems. We’re lucky that in this instance, Australia’s biosecurity officials were one step ahead. Next time, we might not be so fortunate,” Simson said.
Simson added that this example highlighted the critical role Australia’s biosecurity services play, and why they need to keep pace with mounting challenges.
“We’re lucky to have one of the most advanced biosecurity regimes on the planet, staffed by highly skilled and dedicated professionals, however, we’re starting to see cracks appear in an increasingly complex biosecurity environment. Increasing trade flows, diseases pressures in our region and climatic changes are just some of the factors putting pressure on our system.
“This isn’t the moment to let our guard down; with diseases like Foot and Mouth Disease and Lumpy Skin Disease threatening our livestock industries and myriad other risks to our horticulture and plant industries, we need to pull out all stops. That starts with injecting adequate and sustainable funding into the system,” said Simson.
