Quarantine

Saiorse · 06-12-2007, 09:09 AM

My stuff arrived by ship from the UK last week, and I met with quarantine at the port to check it all over yesterday.

I'm pleased to report they took the EI issue extremely seriously. Noting I had much equestrian related stuff, chaps, riding boots, jodhpurs etc. they had me open the boxes and we discussed our options for keeping WA safe.

Now remember, this stuff was from England. Anyway, we all agreed to soak it all (my precious leather hand-made chaps & Ariat's!) in chemical (yes, I got a migraine afterwards) before "releasing" the stuff to me to take home. Even my jod's, which were washed before packing, and the guys agreed were "spotless" got the treatment.

I'm hoping the stuff survives the treatment, I'm sure it will look a little aged, but that's a price worth paying to keep Australia safe, huh?

XJ

P.S. If you're gonna drive into Rous Head with a float, expect a fair bit of ribbing from the truckies...

Horsemanship with Jayne Lavender
www.jaynelavender.com
jayne@jaynelavender.com

pso · 06-12-2007, 10:44 AM

ooo, you should have gone for the irradiation option for the fragile stuff! Yep it costs more, but less risk of damage!

Bet you're glad its all here now!

Saiorse · 06-12-2007, 01:15 PM

Their boss insisted on the chemical...

Still, I'm happy now as I have my favorite "Wallace & Gromit" mug back, on which Wallaces' nose turns red when it's filled with hot tea.

XJ

SMR · 16-12-2007, 07:05 AM

I've just read this! You poor thing Jane

Personally I think it's a little over the top when people have been bringing stuff in from the UK for years (including myself) without any hint of bringing in flu. EI can survive on skin for 24 hours (nostrils for 48 hours), how long does it take to ship things over? Weeks! Even flying stuff over takes almost a week.

I think this is all part of the panic and shows a lack of understanding on behalf of the quarentine people

I could understand the caution when it comes to used horse equipment (I brought over used horse rugs and bridles - got them looked at and cleared) incase other diseases were carried in (once burnt, twice shy), but washed jodhpurs - even your chaps! I would have been most upset.

Saiorse · 16-12-2007, 07:43 AM

I wish I hadn't had to go through with the expense and trouble with quarantine, but I get the deal, as I worked in the UK for 6 months during the 2001 Foot & Mouth crisis. I spent all day spraying my boots, washing my hands in chemicals I'd never use ordinarily, and drivig my car through chemical soaked troughs as I entered properties etc. I really sympathis with the guys in the EI zones! It really is surreal; like your worst movie nightmare!

Pleased to say the leather gear was rinsed in rainwater when I got home, and now dried with no apparent damage. Very expensive exercise, though! Will buy 2 pairs of everything from now on, and keep one set on one continent and another set in Autralia!

XJ

Horsemanship with Jayne Lavender
www.jaynelavender.com
jayne@jaynelavender.com

SMR · 16-12-2007, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saiorse

Will buy 2 pairs of everything from now on, and keep one set on one continent and another set in Autralia!

Good idea!

...yes, I remember the Foot and Mouth too. Bloody diseases!