How much are you willing to pay for a Macca's breakfast?
One Australian traveller is facing up a bill of up to AU$2664 after their egg and sausage McMuffins, hot cakes and croissant were discovered at Darwin Airport - a meal that had been purchased in Bali, Indonesia.
The airport's new detector dog, Zinta, discovered the contraband last week, resulting in the unnamed passenger copping a massive infringement notice.
According to 9 News, the meat products will be destroyed after being tested for foot and mouth disease.
That comes amid concerns in both Australia and Aotearoa that an outbreak of the highly contagious virus could be devastating to both countries.
An outbreak of the disease in Bali has led to all mail and freight arriving in New Zealand from Indonesia being screened in order to stop the virus from circulating on our shores.
Last week the Government warned if it makes its way across the border it could cost billions of dollars and more than 100,000 jobs in New Zealand.
Australia puts the bill at around AU$80 billion over 10 years, according to 9 News.
Previously, meat products that entered Australia from Indonesia have shown fragments of the virus, causing increased concerns that it could also arrive in Aotearoa.
Murray Watt, Australia's Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, said the McDonald's breakfast will be the most expensive Macca's the passenger will ever have.
"This fine is twice the cost of an airfare to Bali," he said. "But I have no sympathy for people who choose to disobey Australia's strict biosecurity measures, and recent detections show you will be caught."
In an interview on AM last week NZ Agriculture Minister Damien O'Connor told reporters that foot and mouth had always been considered the "doomsday disease" for the farming sector.
"This would affect every single New Zealander, which is why we're asking every one of us to keep an eye out. If we're travelling overseas - keep an eye out for where we go and ensure we're not in contact with animals," he said.
