After traveling from Bali, Indonesia, to Australia, a passenger had to pay a hefty sum after bringing two breakfast burgers from McDonalds.
The passenger was fined 2,664 Australian dollars, which is equivalent to almost NOK 18,000, after two undeclared egg and beef sausage McMuffins and a ham croissant were found in the person’s luggage upon arrival at Darwin Airport last week, writes CNN.
Stricter measures
The incident occurred days after Australian authorities intervened new, strict biosecurity measures for travelers from Indonesiaas a result of an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in Indonesia spreading to Bali, a popular destination for Australian tourists.
According to FHI foot-and-mouth disease is a disease that affects animals. Although very few animals die from the disease, it is highly contagious, and can lead to large production losses for farmers and agriculture.
According to Australian authorities, the disease can also be carried in meat and dairy products, as well as on the clothing, footwear or even the luggage of people who have come into contact with infected animals.
– The most expensive meal
Australia’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry said a “series of undeclared risk products”, including the fast food items, were detected in the passenger’s backpack by customs dog Zinta.
“This will be the most expensive McDonald’s meal this passenger has ever had,” said Murray Watt, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. in a statement:
– This fine is double the price of a plane ticket to Bali, but I have no sympathy for people who choose to disobey Australia’s strict biosecurity measures, and this shows you will be caught.
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