BIRDS' eggs with the potential to introduce avian influenza into the country
have been seized by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) in
Melbourne.
The quail eggs, which were intercepted at Melbourne's Airmail
Transit Centre, were destined for an address in the city's western suburbs,
according to AQIS.
AQIS says birds' eggs from overseas pose a potentially lethal disease risk to
Australia's poultry industries and native birdlife.
They have the potential to infect birds with avian influenza, infectious
bursal disease or exotic strains of Newcastle disease, all of which can spread
rapidly and cause environmental and economic damage.
The eggs, which were mailed from Malta, were discovered during routine x-ray
screening of overseas mail.
