Biosecurity - Inter-Island Travel
The Falklands are made up of over 750 islands, each with its own mix of plants and animals. Many invasive species, pests and diseases are confined to just a few areas so it is important that we do all we can to prevent the spread of organisms around and between the islands.
Dirty boots, clothes, outdoor equipment and vehicle tyres can introduce pest plants and creatures and also transmit disease from an affected wildlife colony to a clean one. To limit the risk it is important for ALL people travelling around the Falkland Islands by land, sea or air to clean any dirty items between trips. This is particularly true if there are known or suspected cases of contagious wildlife diseases in the area.
Contaminates should be brushed off footwear, clothing and equipment. Ideally the removed debris should be bagged and destroyed. To prevent spread of disease, a disinfectant boot dip such as Virkon should be used to clean footwear. If this is not available a weak bleach solution will be sufficient. Disinfectants will not stop invasive weed seeds from growing.
Sightings of diseased wildlife should be reported to the land owner and the Department of Agriculture (Tel: 27355).
If you have any other queries regarding Inter-Island travel, then please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
