Many people will be aware of this video made by American actor Johnny Depp and his now-ex-wife Amber Heard about Australia’s strict quarantine laws.
The video was made as part of a deal when the couple faced charges for brining their dogs, Pistol and Boo, into Australia illegally. Their awakwardness is probably explained by the deteriorating relationship between the couple, but it also may indicate a lack of commitment to the words they are speaking.
The simple fact is that Australia is free of many plant and animal diseases that exist elsewhere, and the quarantine laws help ensure this.
That’s why, when I return to Australia to visit family and friends, I have to fill in a quarantine declaration stating that I’m not carrying animal or plant products. We all have to do it, and we should do it diligently.
When I am carrying suspect items — such as a wooden carving I recently bought as a present — I declare them and have them examined.
It’s a small price to pay and we should all be prepared to cooperate.
Yet it baffles me when I’m in a queue at the airport and see that the person is front of me is trying to bring in half a sheep or the contents of their garden, soil, worms, bugs and all.
This is serious folks, and it’s going to take much more than a half-hearted video from Captain Jack Sparrow to ensure Australia retains its environmental and agricultural advantage.
