Importers and parties in supply chain warned of breach risks
The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources has issued a notice to importers of goods subject to biosecurity control to comply with its directions following the prosecution of a Queensland transport company.
In a case heard at the Brisbane District Court, a Brisbane-based business and its director were fined a total of $120,000 for biosecurity breaches associated with the transport and storage of imported uncooked pig meat in 2014 and 2015.
The company was ordered to pay $100,000, while the director was hit with a $20,000 penalty and placed on a three-year good behaviour bond.
The company was required to transport the imported containers directly to an approved arrangement site or to the processing facility of the importer, to ensure effective biosecurity control was maintained. Pig meat can carry foot and mouth disease and African swine fever.
It was identified that the containers were instead being stored at a non-approved site and in contravention of directions issued by the department.
They were found guilty of 76 separate offences relating to “dealing with landed cargo in quarantine” contrary to s44B(3) of the Quarantine Act 1908.
Read about the disquiet at lack of detail on Biosecurity Import Levy, here
“These actions could have exposed Australia’s agricultural industries, environment and the community to serious biosecurity risk,” the department says.
“Biosecurity directions are issued for a reason. Importers and those within supply chains must comply. The department welcomes the strong penalties handed down by the court.
“It sends a clear message that breaches of Australia’s biosecurity conditions will not be tolerated.
“This conviction serves as a timely reminder that directions issued by the department must be followed and any departure from these requirements may have significant personal and corporate consequences.”