BOXES of high risk food that includes turtle and frog meat, have been seized by biosecurity officers from a Western Sydney warehouse.
Department of Agriculture officers say the consignment presented a significant risk to Australia’s biosecurity.
Approximately 38 tonnes of high risk material was seized and this included boxes of turtle meat, frog meat, plant products, avian meat, pig meat, beef meat and raw prawns.
Officers were alerted after a Department of Agriculture biosecurity officer noted suspicious boxes of goods during a routine inspection in NSW.
This led to the department executing a warrant at a Western Sydney warehouse on February 17 where the biosecurity risk products were uncovered.
Director of Biosecurity Andrew Metcalfe said anyone intentionally trying to circumvent Australia’s biosecurity laws could face penalties of up to 10 years imprisonment and fines of up to $1,375,000 for an individual, or $6,875,000 for a company.
“In addition, diseases and pests from imported goods would severely impact our economy, and we will work hard to protect our agriculture industries and natural environment from these threatening diseases,” he said.
“The department takes its role in managing and enforcing Australia’s biosecurity laws extremely seriously and the work of our biosecurity officers throughout this operation has been outstanding."