Insect riddled fruit and vegetables among the 62 tonnes of illegal product imported from Thailand for Sydney’s black market
A woman has been prosecuted for illegally importing more than 62 tonnes of Thai fresh produce and meat products into Australia, for distribution on Sydney’s black market.
The woman coordinated the importation of insect-infested fresh fruit and vegetables, illegal pork products, frog meat and raw prawns by misdeclaring them.
On 11 June, she was convicted of nine counts against Australia’s Biosecurity Act 2015 and sentenced to 24 months imprisonment to be served by way of an Intensive Corrections Order – a sentencing option that allows certain offenders to serve a prison sentence within the community, rather than in custody. She was also ordered to serve 150 hours of Community Service.
The Department of Agriculture, Farming and Fisheries (DAFF) identified the woman and intervened to ensure the goods were seized and the biosecurity risk was mitigated following a tip off from a confidential source.
Australian Horticulture Trade (AHT) has congratulated DAFF for finding and prosecuting the importer of these illegal products but has joined Australian Pork and Australian Prawn Farmers Association in pushing for stronger penalties when biosecurity laws are “flagrantly subverted”.
“Our members work closely with DAFF to comply with their strict biosecurity regulations and processes when importing fresh produce into Australia,” said AHT CEO Lesley Shield. “They know the devastating impacts potential biosecurity pest or disease incursions may have for Australia’s environment, farmers, and economy. Tougher financial and personal penalties should be in place to deter such deliberate illegal acts that undermine Australia’s biosecurity.”
Deputy secretary of biosecurity, compliance and operations, Justine Saunders emphasised that Australia’s biosecurity rules and practices are among the strictest in the world.
“Individuals can face up to ten years in jail and up to A$1.6mn in fines if they breach our biosecurity laws,” Saunders said.
“The importation of such a large amount of food from Thailand, some of it infested with live pests, presents numerous biosecurity risks to Australia.”
Saunders said Australia is free from many of the pests, weeds and diseases that impact agricultural productivity and the environment in other parts of the world.
“Our biosecurity officers work tirelessly to keep these pests out,” she said. “Illegal activity can undermine Australia’s animal, plant and human health status and our excellent global reputation.”
