Oz Scrutinizing Thai-Built Imports for Contaminants

Australia tightens its biosecurity procedures for new vehicles coming from Thailand after finding an increase in risk material found in the vehicles.

The Australian Department of Agriculture and Water Resources says the strengthened measures following the signing of a revised Motor Vehicle Inspection Program with Bangkok authorities.

Deputy Secretary Responsible for Biosecurity Lyn O’Connell says new imported cars can harbor contaminants such as seeds, dirt, soil, plant material and hitchhiking pests.

Australia maintains stringent border safeguards to protect its multibillion-dollar agricultural industry.

 “Our biosecurity system safeguards Australia’s agriculture industries, environment and people from potentially deadly pests and diseases,” O’Connell says. “It also protects our global reputation as an exporter of clean, healthy produce.”

Thailand increasingly has become a source for Australian new cars in anticipation of the closure of local assembly operations by Ford, GM Holden and Toyota.

She says her department worked with the Thailand Department of Agriculture to revise measures to more effectively manage the risks associated with car imports.

“These measures included Thailand committing to a more active role in auditing and verifying individuals and companies that were certifying and inspecting cars prior to export,” O’Connell says.

“We have also worked with Thai officials and manufacturers to support increased vigilance when cars for export are being inspected. We now have seen the percentage of contaminated cars arriving in Australia from Thailand drop significantly.”

O’Connell says biosecurity officers inspect tens of thousands of imported cars from all over the world every year, with many containing biosecurity risk material, such as seeds and soil.