Travellers coming into Western Australia during the festive season and summer holiday period are reminded to follow quarantine regulations to avoid bringing in unwanted pests.
Western Australian quarantine inspectors will be busy over the summer holiday period, particularly at Kununurra and Eucla road checkpoints, airports throughout the State and the Perth Parcel Centre.
‘Bin it’ is the message from the Department of Agriculture and Food as it reminds interstate travellers of the need to declare or bin quarantine risk materials at WA’s border checkpoints.
Department border biosecurity director Greg Pickles said WA was free of many exotic pests and diseases which were found elsewhere in Australia.
“Members of the public can help keep WA free of pests and diseases by voluntarily placing prohibited items in amnesty bins at interstate road checkpoints and domestic or regional airports,” Mr Pickles said.
“Quarantine risk materials that contain pests or diseases could greatly impact Western Australia’s agriculture industry, natural environment and lifestyle.
“To help protect the State, incoming travellers must declare all quarantine risk materials they’re carrying, including fruit, vegetables, honey and seeds.
“We also remind people during the festive season to avoid bringing food items, hive products and items containing seed into the State. These products could be found in gift hampers.
“Home-made decorations or craft gifts made from plant material may also pose a biosecurity threat.”
Mr Pickles advised people with relatives or friends who are likely to post or bring in such items to warn them against doing so because this would breach quarantine and could result in a fine.
Quarantine WA, operated by the department, seized 41,611 kg of quarantine risk material and intercepted 52 significant pests and diseases in 2012-13.
More than 120,000 vehicles, 2.7 million airline passengers and 142,000 lines of produce and seed were inspected by quarantine staff.
More information on Western Australian quarantine regulations is available on the Department website agric.wa.gov.au
Media contacts: Jodie Thomson/Lisa Bertram, media liaison +61 (0)8 9368 3937