By Katie Boyden
Copyright metro
These nappies could contain unwanted visitors (Picture: Getty Images)
An urgent warning has been issued in Australia after destructive beetle larvae were found lurking in nappies.
Khapra beetle larvae were found in packs of nappies imported into the country earlier this month – and the pest could devastate the economy.
The beetle is classified as the number one exotic priority plant pest for the grains industry, and it’s feared if the creature was able to spread it could cost the Australian economy AU$15.5billion in the next two decades.
The larvae were found in Little One’s Ultra Dry Nappy Pants – Walker Size 5 (42pk) on September 7, and since then all of the remaining stock has been pulled from shelves nationwide.
The nappies were sold exclusively by Woolworths, who said the nappies had been supplied to it by Ontex, which produces them overseas and imports them to Australia.
A spokesperson for Woolworths said: ‘As soon as we became aware we acted swiftly, according to directions from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), to remove the product from sale, quarantine it and commenced an investigation with the DAFF and Ontex.’
Australia’s strict import rules
These nappies have been pulled from shelves across Australia
Australia has very strict rules around importing goods, especially food, flora and fauna.
This is to try and minimise the risk of damage to crops, livestock, and the environment by importing invasive pests or diseases.
Due to Australia’s geographic isolation, sharing no borders with other countries, the country’s ecosystem can be vulnerable to threats brought in on purpose or inadvertently.
Australia’s biosecurity is governed by the Department of Health and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
Some items are not allowed to be imported into Australia altogether, while others must meet strict import conditions first, such as quarantines.
For example, jerky and biltong derived from pig meat, raw peanuts, uncooked rice, and oysters in full shell are not allowed in at all.
DAFF called the beetles, which are not currently present in Australia, ‘a serious pest of stored grain and dry foodstuffs worldwide’.
They are native to India but have spread across the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Europe.
If the beetle spreads, the DAFF warns ‘it would pose a major threat to Australia’s grains and other plant industries’.
This is because the beetle makes grains including wheat, canola and barley totally unfit for human or animal consumption, potentially wasting huge amounts of product.
The government has even launched an AU$14.5million action plan specifically to combat potential Khapra beetle infestations.
Khapra beetle larvae have been found in the nappies (Picture: Getty Images)
Anyone who has bought the affected nappies has been asked not to panic, but to take precautions.
DAFF asks people not to use the nappies or dispose of the goods or packaging, or to return them to the shop where they bought them, instead sealing the product in a bag and contacting the national pest hotline.
It’s currently thought that only the size 5 nappies, and the specific Little One’s brand, are affected.
A spokesperson for DAFF said: ‘Khapra beetles can cause some skin irritation and can be allergenic, but do not pose an immediate risk to human health in this context.
‘The importer and Woolworths – who stocked the product nationally – has been working with DAFF to ensure all goods associated with this shipment have been traced and treated where appropriate, to ensure they do not pose an ongoing biosecurity risk.
‘DAFF continues to work closely with state and territory governments and key industry bodies on tracing and treatment requirements.
‘DAFF also thanks Woolworths and the importer for working closely with DAFF to enable and implement the response activities.’
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