$500 fine on biltong charge

Press, 3 June 1983, Page 3

$500 fine on biltong charge

PA Auckland A man was fined $5OO in the District Court at Auckland yesterday for importing biltong (dried beef). Evan Leslie Swanson, aged 32, a sales representative, of Titirangi, pleaded guilty to two charges brought by the Ministry of Agriculture under the Animals Act, 1967. They were that on May 21, at Auckland, he attempted to introduce two bags of biltong without a permit, and that he made an erroneous declaration in that he declared he had no animal products in his possession. For the Crown, Miss J. M. Manning said that Swanson arrived at Auckland Airport on May 21 from Australia. He had been living in South Africa. Ministry of Agriculture officials found two bags of biltong in his luggage. Swanson’s passenger declaration indicated that he had no animals or animal products in his possession.

Swanson had told the authorities he declared the biltong in Australia and had been allowed to keep it there.

Miss Manning said the Ministry regarded importation of biltong as serious because the product was sun-dried and had not been heated to a temperature sufficient to kill micro-or-ganisms. “For this reason, it is of more potential danger than importation of cooked meats,” she said. Counsel for Swanson, Mr A. N. Goold, said the two small packets were valued at only $2. Swanson expected no problems in New Zealand. Judge Blackwood told Swanson that New Zealand survived on the health of its animals and the ability to export them. Any risk must be regarded as serious.

He convicted and fined Swanson $5OO for attempting to introduce the biltong. On the charge of making an erroneous declaration, Swanson was convicted and discharged.