Risk Background

Contamination of Machinery

1. Soil and mud attached to machinery could introduce a range of plant pathogens such as nematode cysts of potato, soybean or sugar beet and animal pathogens such as Foot and mouth disease.

2. Machinery could harbour insect pests.

3. Contaminant seeds may be found in soil or on machinery and could introduce serious pests and diseases, for example:

3.1 maize grain could introduce cereal diseases e.g. Stewart's disease; or

3.2 cotton seed could contain the Pink Bollworm and seed-borne pathogens.

4. Contamination from animal products could be found within the machinery.

5. Used bags could still be attached to machinery and these could introduce a range of contaminants.

6. Timber packaging could harbour insect pests.

7. Consignments spending long periods on the departing wharf can become infested by birds and rodents as machinery provides attractive habitats.

8. Personal effects and food could be left in cabins.

Giant African snails

Live Giant African snail(GAS) are prohibited entry into Australian territory. These snails can cause a high level of damage to plants, have the ability to reproduce in large numbers very quickly and can act as a vector of human diseases. They can be found on containers, pallets, machinery and motor vehicles. All imports from GAS countries must be inspected and confirmed free of GAS.

Karnal Bunt

Soil and mud attached to agricultural machinery could introduce karnal bunt (Tilletia indica). Karnal bunt pest bulletin is a serious fungal disease that attacks the kernels of grains and grasses, replacing kernel contents with black, dusty spore masses that resemble soot or smut. The fungus is spread by wind-blown spores, or through the soil, where it can live up to five years. Karnal bunt can cause serious losses in both yield and quality (affected grain and flour has an unpleasant fishy odour and taste).