Rare plant specimens destroyed at border

AUSTRALIA: Australian customs officers destroyed ‘‘irreplaceable’’ 19th-century plant specimens from the Museum of Natural History in Paris, prompting a review of the government’s apparently overzealous quarantine procedures.

The pressed plant specimens, dating back to the mid-1800s, were being sent on loan to the state of Queensland’s herbarium but were deemed a potential biosecurity threat and incinerated.

Michelle Waycott, from the Council of Heads of Australasian Herbaria, said the items were ‘‘literally irreplaceable’’ collections of high historic and scientific value.

In a separate incident, Australian customs officers destroyed rare lichen specimens being sent from New Zealand’s Allan Herbarium, which has now banned lending such specimens to Australia.

Waycott said the French were also ‘‘very unhappy’’ about their loss and should be considering a ban.

‘‘That would be my response if it was my herbarium.’’

The French and New Zealand institutions were apparently not informed of the decision to destroy the specimens. Nor were the Australian scientists due to receive them.

The Department of Agriculture conceded that the destruction was ‘‘premature’’, but said the packages did not indicate the specimens’ value, and that customs officials had held them for 46 days longer than required.

‘‘Herbarium specimens are not without biosecurity risk,’’ a spokesman said. ‘‘They can include soil and other items that present a pest and disease risk to Australia.’’

The department said it had reviewed the incident and was examining ways to improve communication and safety assessments. - Telegraph Group