Fed: Changes in FMD import restrictions in Aust

AAP General News (Australia)
04-12-2001
Fed: Changes in FMD import restrictions in Aust

CANBERRA, April 12 AAP - Used agricultural equipment will be allowed into Australia
following a review today of the nation's foot-and-mouth disease quarantine measures.

The Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) said equipment would be allowed
in if it met rigorous cleanliness standards and was treated with disinfectant on arrival.

Imported peat from areas at least three kilometres from a foot-and-mouth outbreak will
also be allowed.

Machinery from the United Kingdom and Europe was banned following the outbreak of foot-and-mouth
in late February.

It led to problems when a ship carrying a tractor heavily contaminated with soil was
to be put ashore in Brisbane to be cleaned.

Quarantine officials banned the move, forcing the tractor to be sent back to Britain.

AQIS executive director Meryl Stanton said the changes on machinery and peat were part
of the organisation's on-going review of its foot-and-mouth bans.

"The new arrangements are consistent with the very strict quarantine controls that
have kept Australia free from foot-and-mouth for almost 130 years, while maintaining Australia's
trade with the world," she said.

"We're taking a conservative approach to allowing goods into Australia, and we will
keep the situation under constant review."

Bans on meat and livestock, including horses, from the UK and Europe remain in place.

Ms Stanton said machinery which was unacceptably contaminated would be returned to
its port of origin at the importers' expense.

Today's move is the first change in the list of banned imports since March 28.

AAP sw/kjp/mg

KEYWORD: UK DISEASE AUST

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