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Australia quarantine systems
ensure that the country’s imports (particularly
livestock and food like meat, seed, fish,
vegetables, fruits and grains) have undergone
quarantine risk control. Australia quarantine and
export legislations also aim to establish
improvements in market access opportunities. The
country wants to make sure its exports are all
meeting standard requirements of all importing
countries. This way, trade relations are
strengthened. If the country wants to safeguard the
quality and safety of its exports, in the same way,
it also aims to block imports from other countries
that may carry and spread contagious diseases, pests
and other pathological organisms. |
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For more than a hundred years
now, Australia quarantine has significantly reduced
the occurrence and threats of pest outbreaks.
The
nation-continent’s geographical isolation naturally
prevents entry of diseases and pests (which threaten
not just agriculture but also health of overall
population and environment) but due to the
increasing level of international travel and trade,
the risks are practically rising.
Australia has long maintained and kept its
reputation as an active exporter of clean and
high-quality agricultural products. It is a common
knowledge that exotic diseases and pests could pose
serious health, economic and environmental
consequences to the country. |
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That is why the government has
put up stringent Australia quarantine requirements to
implement protection of agricultural industries, human
health and local environment.
The quarantine system holds control of
borders nationwide to reduce and eliminate possible entries
of exotic diseases and pests. The Australia Quarantine and
Inspection Service (AQIS) is the main national government
agency that is mandated to implement Australia quarantine
measures and legislations. AQIS is under the umbrella of the
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. It is
tasked to primarily manage quarantine controls at borders,
ports, air terminals and other entry points to minimize
risks of entry and exit of exotic diseases and pests.
Because of that mandate, AQIS also conducts export and
import inspection, then processes certification to ensure
overall product safety.
To date, Australia is noted as being one of the nations
where quarantine measures are strongest. Quarantine measures
not just apply to products but also to passengers, cargo,
mail and vessels. AQIS is most visible at international
airports, seaports, international mail hubs and cargo
centers nationwide.
AQIS has the legal right to inspect all items going to and
coming from Australia. Upon detection of risky and infected
items, the agency could impose immediate treatment,
confiscation and destruction. People who are carrier of
contagious diseases are also isolated and securely
transported back to their origins. All luggages of air and
sea transports are also subjected to thorough inspection.
Thus, all travelers to going to Australia are required to
declare everything in their luggage, from small animals to
plants and food products like meat and dairies. Penalties
imposed to quarantine law breaches involve hefty fines and
unfavorable imprisonment. Needless to say, Australia is very
much committed to remain free of exotic diseases and pests.
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