An illegal, commercial-scale meat-smuggling operation could have ripped a COVID-sized hole in the economy, a peak advocacy group says.
NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin said 38 tonnes of turtle meat, frog meat, plant products, avian meat, pig meat, beef meat, and raw prawns seized by officials was likely "just the tip of the iceberg", calling for more resources to defend Australia's food production.
"The biosecurity officers who detected and seized these containers of material deserve to be praised for their efforts, but it does point to a major problem with our biosecurity system," Mr Martin said.
"The very fact that seven twenty-foot shipping containers filled with illegal products slipped through our system is a big cause for concern.
"Smugglers seem to be treating our border controls like a lucky dip, hoping they can get away with it, so if the government can find billions for nuclear submarines and Olympic Games they can surely find the money to build a stronger biosecurity system."
Last year, the detection of Foot and Mouth Disease fragments in imported pork products made headlines across the nation, following an outbreak of the disease in Indonesia. Experts warned the economic cost of an FMD outbreak in Australia would be comparable to the cost of the JobKeeper program, to say nothing of the blow to food production and tourism.
"The government's own numbers estimate the potential cost of an FMD outbreak would be about $80 billion - and it's not the only biosecurity threat out there," Mr Martin said.
"Lumpy Skin Disease is also present in Indonesia, and we're continuing to see efforts to eradicate Varroa mite impact beekeepers and the horticulture sector.
"Farmers have argued for stronger, long-term sustainably-funded biosecurity systems for years - it is absolutely critical the federal government lifts its spending in this space."
Only a small portion of incoming freight was inspected by biosecurity officers, Mr Martin said, but he was hopeful state and federal governments could work together with industry to improve preparedness and response.
"We have strongly advocated for the federal government to boost screening and put in place a long-term, sustainable funding model for biosecurity efforts, which is especially needed given the financial woes the department is facing," Mr Martin said.
"There is also the need for the federal government to work hand-in-hand with all states and territories, as well as other stakeholders, to ensure everyone knows exactly who needs to do what and when in response to a biosecurity threat.
"These threats are very hard to get rid of once they arrive, and they are incredibly costly, so it is far better for us to spend a little on prevention now than a lot on the cure later."
