What you need to know about bringing monkey meat into Australia
Many types of monkey are endangered in the wild, and permits are required to import and export monkey products, including meat, around the world. Bringing monkey meat into Australia can also present very significant risk to human health from diseases carried in the meat. Meat can carry all types of diseases which pose a serious threat to Australia’s public health, agriculture industries and unique environment.
Bringing monkey meat into Australia without approval is against the law and might also break the laws of other countries.
If you bring any wildlife or wildlife products (including animals or plants) into Australia it is your responsibility to be aware of and comply with Australian law. To bring any wildlife products into Australia you may need two permits, one for wildlife trade and one for biosecurity. You may also need to show permits from the overseas country to show that the products have been acquired legally and safely. The best way to make sure you do not break the law and protect Australia is to contact the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment for further information BEFORE you trade wildlife and wildlife products.
What happens when you break the law?
The penalties for importing without a permit are tough. They can include jail time and penalties up to $222,000.
More information
Lots of other wildlife products also need permits. For further information about bringing wildlife into Australia visit these websites:
Wildlife trade: Do I need a permit?
Biosecurity: Bringing or mailing goods to Australia
Remember to check what permits you need and tell family and friends overseas not to send meat or other wildlife products to Australia.