toon williams

Just wondered what the real reason is about the outside stuff we have being spotless, is it because of foot and mouth or is there another reason??

Also for those that have taken your hoover is that an issue does it have to be spotless??

What I cant understand is when we went over for the rekkie, in all the stress of leaving mid a HUGE security alert I forgot to clean the pushchair and it really was dirty, no one said a thing!!

So just wondered!!

esperanza

I think they are concened about mud etc that might be carrying plant diseases, seeds, germs, pests and so on. New plant/animal diseases have the potential to be BIG problems in Australia because they are so isolated from the rest of the world.
I see what you're saying though - shoes etc in your carry-on luggage might be dirty and get through, you might have eaten something before getting on your plane and then carry the seeds over in your digestive tract!
So the system is not perfect or foolproof, but I think they are doing their best to protect Australia from foreign bugs that we might bring in with our things.
I'm sure someone will correct me quickly if I am wrong!

mr mover

Read this...........
http://www.affa.gov.au/content/outpu...00060B0AA00014
.......................mm

Pollyana

In addition to this - and Mr Mover's definitive link - during Foot and Mouth a few years back everyone arriving from the UK had to remove all footwear from their luggage to have it disinfected. If you now arirve and say you have been on a farm recently they may still ask to say your footwear when you get off the plane - same with pushchairs. If they see mud on your shoes or pushchair etc they can ask for it to be cleaned too.

esperanza

I went to Canada during the F&M outbreak in the UK - they made everyone walk through some disinfectant stuff before going through passport control.
They didn't do anything about the trainers & boots in people's bags though.
Makes you wonder if it's more for the media than to actually achieve anything.

toon williams

See this isnt right because like I said before our pushchair was very dirty covered in mud etc and no one said a word!!

Pollyana

I did say "can" - bear in mind that they aren't infallible and therefore probably just didn't spot it!
Esperanza was right to say that they are doing their best to protect Australia, but noone is perfect. I do remember seeing the queues coming in during Foot and Mouth (as I was leaving) and the AQIS guys were being very thorough.

mbike

We had the pushchair thing as well. They stopped us at the airport and had a close look at the wheels, picking out a tiny bit of dirt with screwdriver. The man said "this is a bit dirty, where do you pick it up, Singapore airport?" We just smiled sweetly and he let us through.

Mark

mbike

We were at Lake Leschenaultia, 40 kms east of Perth yesterday and right in the middle of nowhere was a small post, like a telegraph pole stuck in the ground with a sign on it. The sign said "European House Borer observation post". They are clearly taking the woodworm invasion threat seriously.

Mark

toon williams

Will make sure it is sparkling when we return!!

mbike

We flew in on the 1 am flight with a very cranky 2 year old in tow. I think the official took this into account.

Mark

mr mover

The minute that Stroller { push chair] came out of the hold , there would have been at least 3 dogs ,sniff it .
Any sign of , farm manure , dirt , detritus ...you would not have received your stroller.......... mm

toon williams

OK, point taken!! I hadnt been near any farms as hence we were ok!! But will clean it for when we leave! (Another thing to add to the To Do list!!:scared: )