Taking fruit and vegetables into the Riverland

PeterD · Guru

Quarantine South Australia - Changes to regulations

Dickodownunder · Guru

Slight changes but well worth noting to dispose of product prior to arriving at the checking points.
Oodlawirra is another check point of concern,

Thanks PeterD

Desert Dweller · Guru

We've done lots of trips from VIC into SA in the past few years.

Each check point is different.

Security seems to get less serious the further south you go from the highly vigilant Yamba check point.

Pinnaroo is rarely manned, Bordertown, nothing much, Naracoorte & Mt Gambier almost non-existent.

So much for bio-security/fruit fly exclusion zones. If your serious about it make it consistent at all entry points. confuse confuse

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Mmmm, I had better go to Specsavers and quickly me thinks. I went to Renmark from Mildura way back in late 2012 and must have gone through Yamba and don't remember seeing or being pulled into a check point, bugga.

Unless of course bloody Uncle Al got up early today and I haven't heard him yet, YOU UP YET UNCLE AL? Bugga, he is cry smile

Ron-D · Guru

We went through the quarantine station south Australia a few years ago ,we got rid of the stuff we should not be carrying ,as It turned out it would not of been a problem ,the young lady opened the van door and started panicking,came running back to our car you have a gas leak ,upon inspection I accidentally left a gas canister in the little stove disconnected ,but it somehow managed to wiggle around and jammed it self open,lesson learned that will never Happen again,but she never had the nerve to inspect our van after that blankstare just waved us on, we never had the nerve to travel with a can in the little stove again ever lesson learned so be carefull...

Santa · Guru

Pretty straight forward, use, cook or get rid of everything except washed potato's and onions, we pass through inspection points pretty regularly, if you have the spuds/onions available for easy inspection makes it easier, we put them in the sink.

Be aware they open random cupboards and always check the fridge, most of the quarantine officers are pretty friendly.

On the other side of the coin we met a couple on our travels who boasted the concealed their produce under the lid of their Thetford toilet (nice) they deserved to get sprung.

http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/biosecurity/fruit_fly/bringing_fruit_and_vegetables_into_south_australia/_taking_fruit_and_vegetables_into_the_riverland

Taking fruit and vegetables into the Riverland

Restrictions apply for taking fresh fruit and vegetables into the Riverland fruit fly exclusion zone from other parts of South Australia to help protect the Riverlands status as a recognised pest free area for fruit fly

You can only take into the Riverland fruit fly exclusion zone :

fresh fruit and fruiting vegetables accompanied with an itemised receipt proving it was purchased from a South Australian shop.
cooked, processed, preserved, stewed, dried, frozen or canned fruit and fruiting vegetables.

You cannot take in the the exclusion zone:

home-grown fruit and fruiting vegetables
fresh fruit and fruiting vegetables purchased from a shop interstate
fresh fruit and fruiting vegetables purchased from a South Australian shop unless you are carrying itemised receipt proving its purchase location.

If your travelling into Riverland keep handy the:

-- Edited by Santa on Sunday 30th of December 2018 09:45:24 AM

Santa · Guru

Dougwe wrote:
Mmmm, I had better go to Specsavers and quickly me thinks. I went to Renmark from Mildura way back in late 2012 and must have gone through Yamba and don't remember seeing or being pulled into a check point, bugga.

Unless of course bloody Uncle Al got up early today and I haven't heard him yet, YOU UP YET UNCLE AL? Bugga, he is

Pretty unusual Doug, the station is manned 24 hrs a day 365 days a year and has been for as long as I can recall.

You cant avoid it, all traffic is routed into the inspection area. smile

Possum3 · Guru

There is one particular "Lady" at the Highway 1 entry to West Australia that I'm sure learned her customer handling skills at a Russian Gulag. Horrible Horrible woman that refused to believe we didn't have anything to declare wasted over half an hour went through every cupboard, crook and cranny. I half expected her to say "turn around, bend over and spread 'em". No apology - I suspect she was a wannabe Cop that forgot her Meds. Other travellers have mentioned her to us as well.

Juggenaut · Veteran Member

Dougwe, the Yamba fruit fly station has been manned for the last 50 years, 24/7 that I can remember. more vigilant at Yamba because of the high risk to the Riverland fruit industry, citrus stone fruit grapes, one of the biggest fruit bowls in Australia.

Santa · Guru

Possum3 wrote:
There is one particular "Lady" at the Highway 1 entry to West Australia that I'm sure learned her customer handling skills at a Russian Gulag. Horrible Horrible woman that refused to believe we didn't have anything to declare wasted over half an hour went through every cupboard, crook and cranny. I half expected her to say "turn around, bend over and spread 'em". No apology - I suspect she was a wannabe Cop that forgot her Meds. Other travellers have mentioned her to us as well.

These people are employed to do a job, some are more efficient/diligent than others, we've never had a problem.

Make it as easy as you can for them, they appreciate it.

I suspect a lot cause their own issues by adopting an attitude, like will be met with like. wink

Funniest we experienced was a male officer told us a dog spat at him biggrin asked him if he was sure it was a dog, perhaps they had a llama in their van. confuse

PeterD · Guru

Santa wrote:
http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/biosecurity/fruit_fly/bringing_fruit_and_vegetables_into_south_australia/_taking_fruit_and_vegetables_into_the_riverland

The page on your website only referrs to taking food into the Riverland. The page date at the bottom is "Page Last Reviewed: 29 Jun 2018." There is no major change of policy that has bee in place in that regard for many years. The link above that I posted says "Page Last Reviewed: 07 Dec 2018." There is a significant change of policy in it that can potentially hit our pockets if we don't take note and act. My comments were based on the later page. Also, your page does not have any significant info about my point.

The point I am making is that turning up at checkpoints with contraband and letting them sort things out for you is no longer permitted as of the 4th of January.

-- Edited by PeterD on Sunday 30th of December 2018 10:58:06 AM

LLD · Guru

Yamba is only manned going into SA as far as I can remember. And it is 24/7. At Pinaroo the so-called plant experts didn't know what rhubarb was. I described it green celery. Pinaroo is also only manned going into SA and the manning seems quite random.

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Santa wrote:

These people are employed to do a job, some are more efficient/diligent than others, we've never had a problem.
Make it as easy as you can for them, they appreciate it.
I suspect a lot cause their own issues by adopting an attitude, like will be met with like.

X 2

Cheers,

Peter

PeterD · Guru

Santa wrote:
Possum3 wrote:
There is one particular "Lady" at the Highway 1 entry to West Australia that I'm sure learned her customer handling skills at a Russian Gulag. Horrible Horrible woman that refused to believe we didn't have anything to declare wasted over half an hour went through every cupboard, crook and cranny. I half expected her to say "turn around, bend over and spread 'em". No apology - I suspect she was a wannabe Cop that forgot her Meds. Other travellers have mentioned her to us as well.
These people are employed to do a job, some are more efficient/diligent than others, we've never had a problem.
Make it as easy as you can for them, they appreciate it.
I suspect a lot cause their own issues by adopting an attitude, like will be met with like.

I totally agree with that. Well said. As for the last sentence, I always say "be careful not to fail the personality test."

PeterD · Guru

They are getting keen. Here is a news item from the PIRSA website - Border sting operation to stop fruit fly.

Santa · Guru

PeterD wrote:
Santa wrote:
http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/biosecurity/fruit_fly/bringing_fruit_and_vegetables_into_south_australia/_taking_fruit_and_vegetables_into_the_riverland
The page on your website only referrs to taking food into the Riverland. The page date at the bottom is "Page Last Reviewed: 29 Jun 2018." There is no major change of policy that has bee in place in that regard for many years. The link above that I posted says "Page Last Reviewed: 07 Dec 2018." There is a significant change of policy in it that can potentially hit our pockets if we don't take note and act. My comments were based on the later page. Also, your page does not have any significant info about my point.
The point I am making is that turning up at checkpoints with contraband and letting them sort things out for you is no longer permitted as of the 4th of January.

-- Edited by PeterD on Sunday 30th of December 2018 10:58:06 AM

Fair enough. smile

Santa · Guru

LLD wrote:
Yamba is only manned going into SA as far as I can remember. And it is 24/7. At Pinaroo the so-called plant experts didn't know what rhubarb was. I described it green celery. Pinaroo is also only manned going into SA and the manning seems quite random.

Well! that's because it's an inspection station designed to protect South Australia's agricultural industry, the name gives a clue Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA) wink

NSW and Victoria don't bother, I imagine because fruit fly and phylloxera are either not controlled or not seen as a problem. smile

Santa · Guru

PeterD wrote:
They are getting keen. Here is a news item from the PIRSA website - Border sting operation to stop fruit fly.

Good stuff, as far as I'm concerned the fine should be doubled if any attempt to conceal is made, as with the hiding it in the toilet bowl people. furious

Greg 1 · Guru

We travel from WA across the country quite regularly. The problem I see with this policy is that we have found the rules change quite regularly depending on whether there's an outbreak of some different pest. For example, one trip we could bring lettuce in to SA. Next trip not due to some caterpillar or something discovered in WA. The websites are not always up to date with the latest cans and can'ts either, so usually we delete the things we know cannot go through and then throw the van open and say I will show you what I have and you take what I am not allowed currently. One trip WA had just started preventing crustaceans being taken in due to the whitespot outbreak in QLD. We found out at the border. Nothing on the website. By the way, don't try bringing onions or potatoes into WA unless they are cooked or preserved in some way. They will be taken from you.

LLD · Guru

We have had big cook-ups of pototoes and tomatoes etc. prior to border crossings. At Zebra Rock just before crossing from NT to WA people were encouraged to put anything that could not go into WA on a table for either a BBQ before leaving to WA or for those going onto NT. It was a pleasant surprise.

LLD · Guru

Santa wrote:
LLD wrote:
Yamba is only manned going into SA as far as I can remember. And it is 24/7. At Pinaroo the so-called plant experts didn't know what rhubarb was. I described it green celery. Pinaroo is also only manned going into SA and the manning seems quite random.
Well! that's because it's an inspection station designed to protect South Australia's agricultural industry, the name gives a clue Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA)
NSW and Victoria don't bother, I imagine because fruit fly and phylloxera are either not controlled or not seen as a problem.

Santa. Dont shoot the messenger. I was only replying to someone who hadnt been stopped at Yamba going from Renmark to Mildura.

Tony Bev · Guru

Thanks for that info PeterD

We always place our fresh fruit and veggies at the border bins
We have never seen any borders, apart from the WA borders, manned

Never knew what the fine was until I read your link

The low cost of the unused fresh fruit and veggies, against the $315 fine, is a no brainer

I also agree that anyone trying to save a few dollars, by hiding their fruit and veggies, need a greater fine

Santa · Guru

Tony Bev wrote:
Thanks for that info PeterD

We always place our fresh fruit and veggies at the border bins
We have never seen any borders, apart from the WA borders, manned

Never knew what the fine was until I read your link

The low cost of the unused fresh fruit and veggies, against the $315 fine, is a no brainer

I also agree that anyone trying to save a few dollars, by hiding their fruit and veggies, need a greater fine

Morning Tony, the Yamba inspection station on the Mildura side of Renmark is manned 24/7/365, has been for as long as I can recall.

Once your aware of the requirements its easy enough to adjust your shopping requirements so that you experience little or no loss in these situations. smile

-- Edited by Santa on Monday 31st of December 2018 11:50:38 AM

BruDi · Senior Member

South Australia wants to protect its fruit fly free status for export etc. We used to live on the Riverland (SA) and as stated Yamba has been staffed 24/7 for more than 50 years.

Di

theberrys · Veteran Member

Interesting to hear reference by Possum to the "lady" official we had the "pleasure" of her company about 20 yrs ago for about half an hour while she searched our then small truck and caravan. Because it was almost Xmas time we had a couple of cardboard cartons full of wrapped presents for our grandkids which were dully unwrapped and various tools and bits and pieces in the back of the were closely examined and found to be all in order we moved into the caravan where a further examination continued of every cupboard in the van without success on her part until the very last cupboard in the kitchen area at eye level was an offending jar of honey which I noticed immediately and I was resigned to my fate of at least 100 lashes and the rest of my life in the chain gang - but alas I guess she was so unhappy at her failure to unearth a crime we past through her post. We had the pleasure of meeting again on several occasions but not in recent times. It sounded like Possum's comment was recent so maybe she has trained up a new "lady" or she is still working diligently for the cause. Regards Tony

Bello · Veteran Member

I believe if EVERYBODY "played the game" there would not be a problem. Don't take prohibited items into the area. We always stop a day or so before we cross a border or enter into a restricted area and cook all the fruit and vegies we have, seal them in vacuumm bags and put them in the freezer. No problems. Check what you can and can not take and follow the rules. This is to help the Farmers, not the Governments.

Be safe

Bello

Possum3 · Guru

theberrys wrote:
We had the pleasure of meeting again on several occasions but not in recent times. It sounded like Possum's comment was recent so maybe she has trained up a new "lady" or she is still working diligently for the cause. Regards Tony

I have met her only once since the first encounter she was an absolute Witch (spelled with a B). Never have we ever met any others like her and we are regular Border Hoppers in every State.

Greg 1 · Guru

SA and WA both have had their borders manned 24/7/365 since I have been travelling across first in the early 1960's. Have had many inspections of car and van but have always found that if you treat the inspectors with dignity and politeness and not try to hide anything, you get treated the same way in return and they will only remove what they have to under current requirements. I have seen people getting another orifice ripped by the inspectors as they have got out of their vehicle abusing the inspectors and so get hell in return. Best to zip the lip and play nice.

Santa · Guru

Greg 1 wrote:
SA and WA both have had their borders manned 24/7/365 since I have been travelling across first in the early 1960's. Have had many inspections of car and van but have always found that if you treat the inspectors with dignity and politeness and not try to hide anything, you get treated the same way in return and they will only remove what they have to under current requirements. I have seen people getting another orifice ripped by the inspectors as they have got out of their vehicle abusing the inspectors and so get hell in return. Best to zip the lip and play nice.

Amen to that. wink

theberrys · Veteran Member

Well Bello Greg1 and Santa I understand what you are saying and my wife and I have crossed the SA WA border 16 times in the past along with many other border crossings and I can assure you that at all times we were extremely polite and well mannered towards the officials and received similar behaviour in return. So I can only assume that none of you have had the pleasure of the company of the"lady". Incidentally the mention I made of the jar of honey was a complete oversight on our part which I mentioned to illustrate her frustration at failing to find anything and I might add that we have never had anything confiscated at borders as we know the rules and abide by same. Regards Tony