Concerns aired over quarantine inspection changes

Karumba residents, in far north Queensland, are concerned changes to quarantine inspection procedure could leave the gulf port open to the arrival of an exotic disease.

Karumba residents, in far north Queensland, are concerned changes to quarantine inspection procedure could leave the gulf port open to the arrival of an exotic disease.With many nations now on a severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) virus alert, the gulf community wants the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) to publicly justify the changes.One concerned local resident has told the ABC up until last year all foreign ships entering the Norman River were met by AQIS inspectors at the leads to the shipping channel, several nautical kilometres offshore.The resident says that is now changed because AQIS inspectors regarded boarding the ships offshore by a bosun’s ladder an occupational health and safety issue.Ships are now being berthed in the heart of Karumba before quarantine inspections, raising concerns that SARS, or an exotic disease such as foot and mouth, could be transfered to shore while the ships are berthed.One of several federal ministers with quarantine responsibilities says he will arrange an investigation into the concerns of Karumba residents, if it is warranted.Fisheries Minister Ian Macdonald says if there is any suggestion the new procedure is not working he would be keen to get the evidence.”This is something that with Biosecurity Australia these protocols were developed some time ago and have been put into effect in recent times, and the situation seems to have worked properly and safely since they were put into arrangement,” he said.(Source: ABC, Friday, May 30, 2003. 9:16am (AEST))