Vic: Christmas parcels hit by foot in mail disease

AAP General News (Australia)
12-16-1999
Vic: Christmas parcels hit by foot in mail disease

MELBOURNE, Dec 16 AAP - O Tannenbaum, thy faithful sprigs could spread pests and disease,
rather than Christmas cheer.

Sprigs of fir, pine and other conifers, posted from Europe to friends and relatives
in Australia, are being seized by Customs to stop pests entering the country.

"Fresh plant material like conifer sprigs can propagate and risk spreading diseases
and pests to Australian forests," the head of Victoria's international mail, Colin Hall,
said.

And it's not just fir sprigs.

Cheeses, salami and even brandy butter are on the danger list.

"Foods like salamis and cheese from overseas can harbour devastating animal disease
that Australia doesn't have, such as foot-and-mouth disease and classical swine fever,"

Mr Hall, Victoria's International Mail Exchange regional manager, said.

Mr Hall said every year at Christmas there was a more than 50 per cent surge in the
number of quarantine-risk parcels being posted to Australia.

He said high-risk parcels were screened by special X-ray technolology and sniffer dogs
to detect anything made from plant and animal matter.

While quarantine officers were concerned at having to unwrap people's Christmas presents,
it was sometimes necessary "to protect Australia's unique natural environment and important
rural industries".

He urged people to tell their overseas relatives and friends not to send plants or
food through the mail.

AAP er/RTV rt

KEYWORD: XMAS QUARANTINE

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