3 August 2015

Poultry industry supports $15,000 fine for illegal importing

The Poultry Industry Association of New Zealand (PIANZ) supports the $15,000 fine given to an Auckland man for attempting to illegally import dried birds’ nests, a Chinese delicacy that threatens New Zealand’s poultry industry and native birds.

“New Zealand is uniquely free of major avian diseases and imports of dried birds’ nests pose a grave threat,” says Michael Brooks, Executive Director of PIANZ. “Birds’ nests are made from the saliva secretions of the swiftlet bird, which can carry a number of significant avian diseases such as avian influenza and Newcastle Disease that have devastated poultry farms in parts of Asia, Africa, Europe, Australia and North America.”

“The New Zealand poultry meat and egg industries provide over 4,000 jobs and earn over $2 billion a year. Avian diseases also pose a potential risk to the native bird population of New Zealand.”

In a successful prosecution brought by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), Tian Chi Lee, 40, of North Shore, pleaded guilty in Manukau District Court on 30 July to a Biosecurity Act charge of knowingly attempting to possess unauthorised goods – 68 dried birds’ nests.

The fine of $15,000 reflected the serious nature of Mr Tian Chi Lee’s actions. He admitted that his brother in Malaysia had sent the birds’ nests with a false declaration to a fictitious person because both men knew they were not allowed in New Zealand.

ENDS

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