Latest news with #biosecurity
ABC News
17 hours ago
- Health
- ABC News
Calls for tougher biosecurity controls after 62,000kg illegal import sentence
Australia's agriculture industry is calling for stronger penalties for breaching biosecurity controls after a woman avoided jail for illegally importing more than 62 tonnes of meat and produce from Thailand to distribute on Sydney's black market. The items, including raw and cooked pork, frogs, edible insects, beef, chicken, fish, raw prawns and insect-infested fruit, were intercepted at the border in 2021 after a tip-off. The woman failed to accurately declare the products and on June 11 was sentenced by a District Court judge to a 24-month intensive corrections order and 150 hours of community service. Tests on the goods showed positive results for diseases, including African swine fever, Newcastle disease and white spot disease, raising concerns across the Australian agricultural industry. Australian Pork Limited CEO Margo Andrae said the introduction of African swine fever could cost the Australian industry $2.5 billion. "Australia has incredibly strict biosecurity laws for a very good reason. We don't have the diseases that are out there globally," she said. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) said the items were tested for trace presence of diseases and positive results did not necessarily indicate a viable presence. Insect-infested fruit was also seized and subjected to cold storage treatment before inspection. DAFF's Compliance and Enforcement Division first assistant secretary Anna Brezzo said the detections did not indicate broader outbreaks within Australia. The detection of white spot disease in the items also worried the Australian prawn industry. Australian Prawn Farmers Association executive officer Kim Hooper said white spot, while harmless to humans, had the potential to decimate Australia's prawn industry. Within Australia, the movement of raw prawns from locations where white spot has been detected is banned, but raw prawns can be imported with a permit from countries with white spot disease. Ms Hooper described the regulations as a "double standard" and called for a consistent approach to imported prawns. "Fishers and farmers are doing all the right things in that containment area," she said. "They're not moving raw product out of that containment area. It has to be cooked. "But we're not seeing that same level of biosecurity at the border — we're not seeing only cooked [prawns] coming across the Australian border. "So it just beggars belief about how this is actually happening and why our own businesses in Australia are being treated differently to what importers are." Ms Hooper said the penalties for the woman did not "reflect the scale of the threat" from the illegal importation. "This was a calculated operation involving false documentation and product substitution. The consequences should be equally serious," she said. "The government needs to step up. There needs to be increased penalties for deliberate breaches such as this. "They need to close the regulatory gaps that allow these black market operations to exploit our system and they need to modernise the border protection systems." Ms Andre agreed stronger penalties were needed to deter further illegal import attempts. "[It's] great to see that DAFF caught them, but now we need the judicial systems to actually really put the full strength of the penalties in place."
Khaleej Times
2 days ago
- Health
- Khaleej Times
Jail, up to Dh1 million fine: UAE passes draft law for illegal import of animals
A new draft law has specified jail time and fines ranging from Dh100,000 to Dh1 million for illegal import of animals through unofficial channels, as part of a broader effort to protect the UAE from animal-borne diseases. Under the draft law passed by the Federal National Council on Wednesday, June 25, all animal shipments entering, exiting, or transiting through the UAE will be subject to enhanced veterinary quarantine procedures designed to detect and prevent the spread of disease. The proposed legislation grants the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment powers to impose import bans or restrictions on countries or regions where outbreaks pose a threat to national biosecurity. It stipulates that no animal shipments may enter the country except through officially designated border crossings. The ministry will identify these authorised ports of entry and specify which types of shipments are allowed at each. In cases where an animal disease is detected in a source country, the law allows for imports under strict conditions, provided that the exporting country meets health regulations determined through risk assessment. Detailed procedures and documentation requirements will be outlined in the law's executive regulations. Importers must apply in advance for veterinary health certificates and permits from the ministry, with regulations also covering animal feed, by-products and waste material, not just live animals. Violations will carry heavy penalties. Those who bypass official ports may face at least one year in jail and a fine ranging from Dh100,000 to Dh1 million, with confiscation of the animals or products involved. Repeat offenders will face doubled penalties. Fines of up to Dh500,000 may also be imposed on those who fail to comply with animal health import conditions, including transport specifications. Importers or owners who refuse to implement ministry directives concerning non-compliant shipments can face fines of up to Dh100,000. The draft law also lays out administrative violations and penalties, which will be approved by the cabinet based on the minister's recommendations. It designates authorised inspectors appointed in coordination with the Ministry of Justice to act as judicial officers in identifying legal breaches. Fees related to the implementation of the law will be set by cabinet decision, following proposals from the minister and coordination with the Ministry of Finance.
BBC News
2 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Bird flu cases confirmed in Pembrokeshire and Wrexham
Protection zones have been put in place in two areas of Wales where there are confirmed cases of bird have been confirmed at a poultry small-holding of 120 hens near Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, on Monday and at a commercial game bird premises near Glyn Ceiriog, Wrexham, on Tuesday.A 3km (1.9 miles) protection zone and 10km (6.2 miles) surveillance zone were in place around each of the infected premises, the Welsh government said. It added the Pembrokeshire case was the first in a poultry flock in Wales since April 2023. Protection zones mean stricter measures are in force in the area to contain the disease, while in the wider surveillance zones some restrictions may apply to movement. The Welsh government said the occupiers of the affected premises must record all movement of people, poultry or other captive birds and their eggs in and out of the steps include the housing or isolating of all birds, a stop to all spreading of poultry litter and manure except by a licensed veterinary inspector, and disposal of bird carcasses in accordance with inspectors' said the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) was working "on implementing disease control measures" at both sites, adding it was "essential that all bird keepers take action now to check and reinforce hygiene and biosecurity measures to protect their birds". Vet Phil Thomas said it was "a bit of a shock" to have two separate Welsh sites affected, adding the cases in Haverfordwest were close to where shorebirds live."The country is vigilant throughout the year now, not just during the winter months as we used to be, because that is the peak in terms of bird flu," he told Radio Cymru's Dros Frecwast programme."About a year ago things calmed down, and no cases occurred for several months. It's a bit of a disappointment that we have detection of the flu now." What is bird flu? Bird flu, or avian flu, is an infectious type of influenza that spreads among birds and, in rare cases, can affect are many different types, but the strains of biggest concern in the UK can be spread by close contact with an infected bird - dead or alive - as well as its droppings and advice urges people to avoid contact with live birds where possible, and to wash their hands often with warm water and soap, especially before and after handling food, in particular raw tips for avoiding the spread include using different utensils for cooked and raw meat, making sure meat is cooked until steaming hot.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Woman jailed after disturbing find inside 62,000kg of Thai food sent to Australia
An attempt to illegally import 62,000kg of exotic foods into Australia has landed a woman in jail. Inside mislabelled polystyrene boxes, border agents found a variety of packages, some containing ingredients that seldom make local menu listings like frozen frogs. Other boxes included prawns, fresh produce infested with insects, and pork. All were sent from Thailand and destined for Sydney's black market, but her plan came unstuck after authorities were tipped off by a confidential source. Had the boxes not been intercepted, the products inside could have threatened both wildlife and the agriculture industry. Looking generally at the threat posed by undeclared foreign goods, frogs can carry diseases like chytridiomycosis, which has already caused the decline or extinction of over 500 amphibian species around the world. Prawns can be infected with a highly contagious virus called white spot disease, and pork can be contaminated by an array of illnesses not seen in Australia, like African swine fever. When it comes to invasive insects, once they breach our borders, state and federal authorities seem unable to stop their spread. The varroa mite has had a severe impact on honey production, fire ants are marching down Australia's east coast, while over in Perth the shot-hole borer has killed thousands of trees and crippled the local plant trade. There are stringent laws designed to stop pests and diseases from entering Australia, and anyone who breaches them faces fines of up $1.6 million and 10 years in jail. On Thursday, Australia's Department of Agriculture (DAFF) revealed a woman connected to the 62,000kg importation plan had been sentenced to two years' jail and ordered to serve 150 hours of community service. The sentence was handed down by a judge on June 11, after she was convicted of nine counts against the Biosecurity Act. 😳 Australia's sky could change forever after winter ends 🌏 'Shocking' jellyfish find could change the way Aussies visit the beach 🔍 Rare find inside ancient cave after tourists banned for years DAFF's deputy secretary of biosecurity Justine Saunders said because the haul was so large, it presented 'numerous biosecurity risks to Australia'. 'Australia is free from many of the pests, weeds and diseases that impact agricultural productivity and the environment in other parts of the world. Our biosecurity officers work tirelessly to keep these pests out,' she said. 'Illegal activity can undermine Australia's animal, plant and human health status and our excellent global reputation.' Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
World's most deadly viruses to be held at new lab in Surrey
Cutting-edge laboratories to hold and study the world's most deadly diseases are to be built in Surrey. Fatal and incurable viruses will be researched at a new facility in Weybridge to help prevent future pandemics and also to prepare for a potential terror attack with a biological weapon. The new National Biosecurity Centre will have the highest classification of lab biosecurity to analyse the most dangerous diseases, known as biosafety level four pathogens, which include Ebola. This upgrade in biosecurity at Weybridge puts it on equivalent footing to the UK Healthy Security Agency (UKHSA) base at Porton Down, but on a much bigger scale, as it will test and study infected farm animals, not just rodents. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) on Monday announced £1 billion of taxpayer money to fund the centre, as part of a £2.8 billion overhaul of the Government's marquee animal disease site. The level four labs will allow staff to safely handle deadly diseases by working in self-contained suits with a dedicated air supply, air locks upon entry and exit, negative air pressure, airtight facilities, and chemical disinfection showers. Scientists will use the new facilities, due to open in 2033, to prevent outbreaks of disease. This includes known pathogens, but also as yet unknown future outbreaks such as 'Disease X', a hypothetical pathogen that will cause the next pandemic, officials say. Environment Secretary Steve Reed told The Telegraph: 'Covid happened once and it can happen again, so we need to invest in the world-class facilities we need to keep not just the economy safe, but the people in this country safe. 'This will be one of only five or six facilities in the world up to this standard. Somebody described this national biosecurity centre to me as being the MI5 of animal and plant disease.' It will also allow the centre to lead on anti-bioterrorism work to ensure that diseases of plants or animals are not weaponised against Britain. The National Biosecurity Centre will work alongside scientists at the MoD's Defence Science and Technology Laboratory and the UKHSA facilities at Porton Down. This three-pronged network will form the backbone of the tranche of the UK's National Security Strategy against biological agents, both zoonotic and from hostile states. Around 60 per cent of all diseases are zoonotic and spread to humans via animals. Mr Reed said: 'In the same way pathogens can be used against humans, they can be used against the plants and animals we depend on for food. 'This site will be part of a network of facilities we need to strengthen national security. This is where bioweapon work will be researched and tackled so that we can recognise it, should it happen, and then have the means to combat it.' The Weybridge site is the main research centre of the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) and has been criticised for being in poor condition. Scientists at these labs lead the response to bird flu, foot-and-mouth disease, and bluetongue. It is also where swabs from the recent rabies fatality were tested. Mr Reed added: 'The money is so desperately needed. You can see just from looking around that these are very old facilities – some remind me of my old science lab at school. 'It shouldn't look like that, it should be a world-class facility. It has world-class people working in it, but the buildings and the tools are not up to the standard they need to be. The previous Government let them become close to obsolete. 'This investment is desperately needed now to protect food production, farming and the economy as well as human beings.' A 2022 National Audit Office report found the site to be in shoddy shape, with it having the highest possible risk of failure possible, and warned it would be unable to cope with a serious outbreak. Dr Jenny Stewart, APHA Senior Science Director, told The Telegraph: 'The new centre will add some new capabilities that will let us deal with diseases that we can't currently deal with on this site, and allow us to do research. 'That will mean that we're ready for the next thing that comes. We have a thing called 'Pathogen X', or 'Disease X', and at this site we can be ready for whatever that might be. 'The step change is that we're going to have a higher level of containment on the site that lets us deal with more dangerous diseases than we currently manage on this site. 'We keep saying we are a Reliant Robin, and we are getting a spacecraft.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
