Risk Background

Minerals, sand, metal ores and related materials are of minimal biosecurity concern if they are pure and not cross-contaminated. The larger the consignment (bulk bagged in containers and bulk in ship's holds) the more likely the risks with cross-contamination. Larger quantities tend to be mined from depth and then stockpiled, trucked or railed and moved about on conveyor belts before export. During this time the material is at risk of coming into contact with soil, seeds, plant material, animal faeces, bird feathers, live or dead rodents and other animals, live insects, snails, grain, etc. The risks are very similar to those of fertiliser and stockfeed.

With the contamination there is the possibility of introducing exotic animal diseases (e.g. anthrax and foot and mouth disease), plant diseases, fungal spores, plant pests (e.g. insects, mites, snails, nematode parasites) and weed seeds.