(Photo: Department of Agriculture)
October 11, 2019
A detector dog has been stationed at Darwin Airport to help screen international passengers and cargo in a bid to stop African swine fever from entering Australia.
Suki is an experienced biosecurity Labrador which has been transferred from Norfolk Island to reinforce prevention measures at Darwin.
Northern Territory Senator Dr Sam McMahon, a former vet, said Suki was a vital part of Australia’s defence against damaging biosecurity threats.
“African swine fever has the potential to kill a quarter of the world’s pig herd by the end of the year so we’ve ramped up inspections at airports and sea ports,” Senator McMahon said.
“That’s why when the risk profile for Darwin changed, a detector dog was deployed.
“Suki is an experienced and highly trained detector dog who has found more than 6800 biosecurity risk items in her career including sniffing out 300 meat items just last year.
“The government is doing its part, but we need everyone travelling through our airports and posting packages from overseas to do the right thing and be alert to the serious risks posed by this disease.
“I’d encourage all Australians to talk to family overseas to help them help us all by not sending pork products.”
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