Animal farmers in Australia are happy about a ban on bringing in meat products for personal use from any country with Foot and Mouth Disease.
Murray Watt, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry, said that the new rules, which went into effect at midnight last night, were the third strong step in the government’s plan to fight FMD.
The new tightened rules also ban some highly-processed meat products like pork floss, pate and pork crackling.
Many countries in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and South America still have a lot of people who have FMD. Europe, North and Central America, Pacific nations and the Caribbean are free of the disease.
Angus Hobson, a sheep and cattle farmer from New South Wales, said that the Federal Government’s decision to ban personal meat products was a good one.
Mr. Hobson said that his submission to the Senate inquiry on biosecurity preparedness, which starts up again this week, was mostly about stopping the spread of FMD.
“This (the ban on importing meat for personal use) is part of a plan to stop people from coming in. I think it’s great.” ”.
South-west Victorian prime lamb and sheep seedstock producer Tim Leeming also supported the Federal Government decision.
According to him, “they saw the threat when FMD virus particles were found in meat products a few months ago.”
There was a recent report from a group of people, including the two producers, to the Senate about how well Australia’s biosecurity measures and response plans are working, especially for FMD. The producers’ submission said Australia’s biosecurity system is underfunded and inadequate to exclude or mitigate a FMD incursion.
Fears of an FMD outbreak have grown since the disease spread to Indonesia, including Bali, earlier this year. Recently, FMD particles were found in a pork floss product in a Melbourne supermarket and in meat products taken from passengers at Adelaide and Darwin airports.
Recently, the Federal Government increased the number of times packages sent from China and Indonesia were inspected. They also made airport biosecurity stronger, especially for people coming back from Indonesia.
“While Australia remains FMD-free, we must remain vigilant to biosecurity threats from overseas,” Mr Watt said.
“As things stand, Australia doesn’t let animals or animal products in unless they meet our strict biosecurity requirements.”
“When FMD was first found in Indonesia, the Department of Agriculture made it harder for businesses to bring in products from Indonesia that were at risk of FMD,” he said.
“Then, when the disease spread to Bali, the Albanese government acted quickly to check all mail-order goods from Indonesia more closely.”
“Before these new rules, though, regular people could bring in highly processed meat products like pâté, pork crackling, and meat floss for their own use,” Mr. Watt said.
With the continued spread of diseases like FMD and lumpy skin disease, I asked my department to look at how we import risky goods from all countries that have FMD, not just Indonesia. ”.
FMD has been common in many parts of the world for many years, but Mr. Watt said this was the first time that such strict measures had been put in place.
“This action was not taken by the previous government in response to previous outbreaks overseas, but after looking at the evidence, we are not willing to take this risk,” he said.
Our job is to protect biosecurity, and we can all do our part to keep Australia free of pests and diseases. Livestock producers in Australia are in favor of a ban on bringing in meat products for personal use from any country with Foot and Mouth Disease. Get.
Bringing food items into Australia is regulated by the Australian Border Force (ABF) to prevent introducing pests and diseases that could harm Australia’s agriculture and environment. One common question from travelers is whether pork floss can be brought into the country. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about bringing pork floss into Australia.
What is Pork Floss?
Pork floss, also known as pork sung or rousong, is a Chinese dried meat product. It consists of finely shredded pork that has been dried and cooked until it forms thin, fluffy strands with a light and wispy texture.
Pork floss can be eaten on its own as a snack, used as a topping for congee or rice, or incorporated into other dishes. It provides a salty, umami flavor burst. Pork floss is shelf-stable when kept dry and is commonly found vacuum-packed.
ABF Regulations on Bringing Pork Floss to Australia
According to the ABF, pork floss is allowed into Australia for personal use only if it meets the following conditions:
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It must be manufactured in an approved FMD-free country FMD stands for foot and mouth disease
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The country of manufacture must be listed on the product label
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These requirements do not apply to pork floss made from poultry meat.
So pork floss from FMD-free countries can typically be brought in when clearly labeled. FMD-free countries include the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and New Zealand among others.
Unlabeled pork floss or floss from higher risk countries may be confiscated at customs. Quarantine checks may also be performed.
Guidelines for Bringing in Pork Floss
If you want to bring pork floss into Australia, here are some key guidelines to follow:
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Opt for a reputable, commercial brand with proper labeling of ingredients and origin.
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Make sure the country of manufacture is an approved FMD-free country.
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Keep it in original, sealed packaging. Any opened or repackaged floss may be confiscated.
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Don’t try to bring in unlabeled, homemade or artisanal pork floss.
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Declare it on your Incoming Passenger Card and baggage declaration.
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Be prepared to surrender all pork floss if requested by customs officers.
Following these rules helps minimize the chances of having your pork floss confiscated when entering Australia.
Limitations on Pork Floss Quantities
There are also restrictions in place on how much pork floss you can bring in based on your personal entitlements:
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Australian residents returning home can bring up to 2.25 kg duty-free.
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Visitors and tourists are allowed up to 2.25 kg duty-free if staying over 72 hours. If less than 72 hours, only food reasonably consumed during the stay is permitted.
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2.25 kg equivalents apply to other meats, dairy, eggs, honey, and nuts.
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Commercial shipments of pork floss cannot be brought in by unauthorized importers.
Exceeding the personal allowance may result in items being seized, fines, or prosecution. Commercial amounts will be confiscated and destroyed by ABF officers.
Declaring Pork Floss at Customs
To legally bring pork floss into Australia, you must take the following steps:
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Use the Incoming Passenger Card to declare any pork floss. This is mandatory.
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Make sure to complete the baggage declaration form honestly.
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Have pork floss easily accessible in your hand luggage when going through customs.
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Answer any questions from customs officers truthfully.
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Be cooperative if they need to inspect your declared pork floss.
Failing to declare or making false declarations can lead to significant penalties from the ABF. Declaring it properly streamlines the process.
Alternatives to Bringing Pork Floss
If you don’t want the hassle of bringing pork floss in, some alternatives include:
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Purchase it upon arrival in Australia from Asian grocery stores. Many carry imported brands.
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Consider other Chinese snacks like mooncakes, preserved fruits, plum candy etc.
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Bring non-meat based snacks from your origin country.
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Mail it to yourself from an online retailer that ships to Australia.
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Ask friends or relatives in Australia to provide it for your visit.
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For food gifts, give items that are easier to bring in like chocolate, wine, packaged nuts.
Bottom Line
What things you can and can’t bring to Australia
FAQ
Is pork floss allowed in Australia?
Can you take food in your suitcase to Australia?
Can I bring pork sausage to Australia?
Can meat floss be brought in?
Meat floss may be brought in as well, as long as it is commercially manufactured and very finely shredded, with no identifiable meat pieces. Items such as duty-free products and prescription medicine must also be declared.
Can I bring cheese into Australia?
Cheese and other dairy products must be declared and inspected on arrival. Products that do not meet import conditions will be exported or destroyed at the importer’s expense. You may bring commercially prepared and packaged chocolate or confectionery into Australia as a personal import.
What items can be imported into Australia?
For the full list of import requirements refer to BICON. Leather goods, hides, furs and skins that have been effectively and fully tanned are allowed into Australia. This includes items such as animal skin (leather) purses, shoes, wallets and belts.
What if I don’t comply with Australia’s import regulations?
This is to “prevent the introduction of harmful pests and diseases”, Australia’s Border Force said on its website. Items that do not comply with requirements will be exported or destroyed at the importer’s expense. New Zealand has similar restrictions, with a couple of differences.