HSC Biology Course - Seeking Better Health - Critical Response Essay"Quarantine in Australia has been very effective in preventing the spread of diseases and exotic plants or animals into or through this country "IntroductionAs Australia is isolated from the oceans, it has been able to avoid the spread of diseases very well. However, as barriers between nations decrease and trade and travel increase, the problem of preventing the spread of disease increases. The spread of animal and plant diseases in Australia costs Australia both economically and environmentally. Some diseases have cost Australia billions. An example of a plant disease quarantine in Australia is Black Sigatoka. An example of animal disease quarantine in Australia is exotic fruit flies. Although Australian quarantine has yet to be improved, it has become effective through the use of many different quarantine methods. Role of quarantine in Australia. The role of quarantine in Australia is to prevent diseases, animals and plants from spreading within and across the country. The Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) is the organization responsible for enforcing quarantine legislation. They work under the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Australia uses a variety of methods to deal with pests and diseases. Some of these include: • Baggage inspection using X-ray machines • Sniffer dogs • Disposal containers • Genetic engineering • Chemical screening • Fines and border checks • Public awareness Plant Quarantine When plants and plant products enter Australia they examined by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service for Diseases and Pathogens. They also check for pathogens in the soil on machinery, shoes, etc. There is a list of plants and plants... middle of the paper... of fruit flies since 1995. An effective eradication method has also developed from that epidemic. Overall Effectiveness of Quarantine in AustraliaAlthough Australia has had epidemics in the above-mentioned diseases they have been successfully eradicated. A comparative example of another country's quarantine is Africa, where epidemics of fruit flies and black Sigatoka occur. These diseases are out of control and are damaging the economy of Africa's agricultural sector. This indicates that Australia has effective quarantine methods. The statement: “Quarantine in Australia has been very effective in preventing the spread of diseases and exotic plants or animals in or through this country” is mostly true since Australia has been quite effective in quarantining plants and animals; however improvements are still needed as outbreaks have occurred.