Over the past 5 years, biosecurity officers at the border have intercepted 22 detections of illegally hidden hatching eggs. In recent months the rate of detections has notably spiked.
Fertile eggs, capable of hatching are classified as hatching eggs and bringing these, or any animal eggs into our country without meeting Australia’s import conditions is illegal.
Recent detections have occurred across multiple pathways, originating from a range of countries, including the United States of America, Indonesia, Thailand, the United Kingdom, Germany, Pakistan, Lebanon and China.
In some cases, eggs were concealed in passenger’s luggage, and on their persons. In another instance biosecurity officers found hatching eggs had been coloured with dye in an attempt to disguise them as Easter decorations.
Any animal eggs are classified as a high biosecurity risk because they can carry a range of diseases including poultry diseases that are not present in Australia such as pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), and Newcastle disease virus (NDV).
These diseases can spread rapidly through domestic and wild bird populations, causing high mortality, and result in significant economic losses. An outbreak could disrupt trade, impact food supply chains, and require costly and complex eradication efforts.
In 2019 a passenger arriving from South Affrica, attempted to illegally import 21 suspected avian eggs, through Sydney International Airport. The eggs were hidden inside socks within their luggage and on the individual’s body.
Under Operation MARVEL the matter went to court. In 2021 the offender was convicted and received 18 months imprisonment, to be served as an Intensive Correction Order, along with 250 hours of community service.
Australia has some of the strongest biosecurity laws in the world, and we make sure these laws are enforced. Noncompliance can result in serious penalties, including criminal convictions, significant fines and infringements and up to 10 years imprisonment for the most serious offences.
As criminals attempt different concealment methods, Australia’s biosecurity capabilities continue to improve. The department now uses highly advanced tools including X-ray screening to detect risks at the border.
Though our biosecurity system is robust and our officers vigilant, it only takes a single infected egg to put Australia’s poultry industry, animal health and our food security at serious risk.
We need everyone to help protect Australia by keeping an eye out for suspicious activities.
If you know someone who is not doing the right thing – report it. Call our REDLINE: 1800 803 006.
Hatching eggs can be legally imported if the right conditions are met. Read our notice to find out how you can legally import hatching eggs: Notice to Industry – Fertile hatching egg (poultry) imports
