Travellers asked to comply with agricultural import laws

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THE Department of Agriculture‚ Forestry and Fisheries has called on international travellers visiting SA over the Easter holidays‚ or returning to SA afterwards‚ to comply with the country’s import requirements for agricultural and related regulated products.

"Compliance will assist our country in preventing and or minimising the potential risk of introducing alien invasive species‚ foreign pests and diseases that could be associated with imported plants‚ plant products‚ animals‚ animal products and other regulated goods‚" the department said on Wednesday.

It said SA‚ like other countries‚ had a crucial mandate and sovereign right to protect its territory‚ biodiversity and economy against harm‚ and regulated importation of animals and animal products‚ liquor products‚ plants and plant products‚ honey and honey products‚ as well as any other potentially harmful materials from other countries into its territory.

"This is in accordance with the country’s relevant legislation‚ which is aimed at preventing the introduction‚ establishment and spread of pests and diseases from other parts of the world. Once introduced into the country‚ the said elements are expensive and difficult to control‚ thus prevention is pertinent in this regard.

"Furthermore‚ the importation of certain liquor products with an alcohol content of more than 1% into the county for drinking purposes is restricted‚ except on the authority of an import certificate issued by the Department of Agriculture‚ Forestry and Fisheries.

"Please note that import conditions may differ according to the country of origin/export‚ global pest distribution‚ type of products‚ etc. Travellers are therefore advised to contact Department of Agriculture‚ Forestry and Fisheries offices for information regarding the product to be imported."

The department said that upon arrival in SA‚ all the imported consignments of regulated products must be presented to the department’s inspectors at the port of entry for compliance inspections as per import conditions.

"The consignments may not be removed from the port of entry without written authorisation or before being granted entry by the Department of Agriculture‚ Forestry and Fisheries inspectors."