A Christchurch customs broking firm has been convicted and fined $3000 for submitting a false customs declaration that could have created a serious biosecurity breach.
Gateway Cargo Systems (SI) Limited pleaded guilty in the Christchurch District Court to falsely declaring that the header unit of a combine harvester imported fromthe United Kingdom was new when it had been used.
The offending was detected in December last year after the combine harvester was inspected by a Ministry for Primary Industries quarantine officer.
MPI spokesman Steve Ham says the company correctly stated that the combine harvester was used, but declared the header as new.
"When the container was opened, it became very clear the header was used and when it was further inspected, it was found to be heavily contaminated.
"The header needed to be disassembled completely to ensure it was steam cleaned effectively. The subsequent cleaning process took 30 hours and the waste filled three 240 litre containers.
"If invasive organisms enter our country the impact would be incalculable."
