Australia destroyed much of its own country when it introduced rabbits from Europe in the 1800s. Rabbits "have caused great environmental damage since then", reports National Geographic. "Experts have even stated European rabbits' introduction to Australia was one of the fastest spreading instances of an invasive mammal".
This unfortunate decision from a couple of centuries ago is a big reason why Australia today zealously protects its environment with stringent biosecurity laws. Last weekend, a woman learned about these laws the hard way.
She says she was approached by plain-clothed officials who demanded to see her customs and immigration card – which all arrivals must fill in – and noted that she didn't declare the rose. That turned out to be an expensive mistake.
She was fined A$1,878 for “knowingly providing false or misleading information” on an official document after mistakenly ticking that she carried no plants upon arrival to Australia.
“It didn’t pass through my mind that the rose was within the category of those plants that they would be looking for”, she said.
“I checked ‘no’ and that was their accusation in the end”.
A spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry confirmed "all travelers coming to Australia must be aware of Australia's strict biosecurity requirements and the penalties for not complying with those requirements".
The most anybody can be fined is six penalty units, or $1878, 9 News reported. "Travellers and goods arriving in Australia can introduce exotic pests and diseases", the spokeswoman said.
"This could harm our health, environment and commercial industry, as such the department take all steps needed to minimise and negate these impacts. The penalty units reflect the risk level to Australia".
Laraya says she is currently trying to appeal the fine on the grounds that other passengers with similar infringements got off with just a warning.
Six penalty units for a rose. Next time, she should just stick to smuggling rabbits!
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