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Pork jerky, sausages and other pork products were seized by officials from the Australian Department of Agriculture in airports in the last three months.
Two samples tested positive for foot and mouth disease, while one tested inconclusive. In total, more than 280 samples were tested for the disease to date this year.
African Swine Fever was also detected in six of the December samples and 40 of this year’s samples, according to a report by ABC news.
Agriculture Minister David Littleproud said that he “won't tolerate travellers risking Australian farming.”
Cost
It is estimated that a foot and mouth outbreak could cost Australia’s livestock industry up to $60bn.
"[If] borders close we can't trade live animals, we can't send meat products out of the country except to other countries that have FMD,” biosecurity expert and Melbourne University professor Tom Kompas said.
The Victoria Farmer’s Federation said that penalties need to be more severe on people who bring in biosecurity hazards.
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