Warning to World Cup travellers on what not to bring home

Football fans returning from the soccer World Cup in South Korea should take special care to avoid bringing foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) into this country, a biosecurity official said.

Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry acting director animal biosecurity Allen Bryce today said dirty sporting gear, outdoor clothing, plant and food material could bring unwanted pests and diseases like FMD into the country.

"Where there is any doubt, items should be packed at the top of suitcases in plastic bags or carried in hand luggage and all biosecurity risk items fully declared on re-entering New Zealand," Mr Bryce said in a statement today.

New Zealand was vulnerable to foot and mouth because of last month's outbreak in South Korea and many countries throughout Asia, as well as in Europe and the United Kingdom."

New Zealand has never had a case of FMD and everyone, including the travelling public, needs to take responsibility for ensuring we maintain our FMD-free status.

"Although the risk of introduction of FMD on humans or their clothing was remote, short travelling distances between New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific region meant care needed to be taken.

South Korea lost its FMD-free status in March 2000 when it was reported in cattle there, the first time since 1934, and more than 100,000 animals have since been destroyed.

The last case of FMD in Japan, which is co-hosting the World Cup, occurred in May 2000. Japan was now regarded as FMD-free.

- NZPA