Buying new?....Check for snails....

[coxyhog]

https://www.theguardian.com/environ...mercedes-benz-cars-after-escargot-cargo-found

 

[davidsl500]

Ah, the secret of MB's Eco mode revealed ....

 

[fabes]

Hey, less of the 'eco'
Racing snails can be fast (in their class admittedly)

You shouldn't mod them though
For example, if you remove their shells, they become a little 'sluggish' ......









Sorry, couldn't resist

 

[davemercedes]

I don't resent the Aussies action one little bit - they have an enormous "island" which they want to remain free of invasive bugs and species. MB will just have to learn a costly lesson but I can see a lot of "shortage" vehicles being made available in UK and the odd place like Malta (where they drive on the left) at reduced prices and available on pretty short notice!

 

[Conor]

I don't resent the Aussies action one little bit - they have an enormous "island" which they want to remain free of invasive bugs and species. MB will just have to learn a costly lesson but I can see a lot of "shortage" vehicles being made available in UK and the odd place like Malta (where they drive on the left) at reduced prices and available on pretty short notice!

And Ireland

 

[davemercedes]

And Ireland

Oops, yes of course (close enough too!)

 

[Rory]

They can surely only have found them by chance - wonder how many have already got in?

I like the comment about finding rust in their poo - plenty to go at when you're living in a Merc!

 

[peterws1957]

They can surely only have found them by chance - wonder how many have already got in?

I like the comment about finding rust in their poo - plenty to go at when you're living in a Merc!

It won't have been by chance. Australia and New Zealand and probably other countries scrutinize virtually every square inch of imported vehicles, particularly underneath and indeed have officers in other countries overseeing exports. Unlike UK customs who weren't concerned about a car I imported from the States which had several weird and wonderful visitors inhabiting the interior and engine bay

 

[Conor]

It won't have been by chance. Australia and New Zealand and probably other countries scrutinize virtually every square inch of imported vehicles, particularly underneath and indeed have officers in other countries overseeing exports. Unlike UK customs who weren't concerned about a car I imported from the States which had several weird and wonderful visitors inhabiting the interior and engine bay

Agreed.. those nations have very unique and balanced natural eco systems.. We have all heard stories about various species invading and overrunning various habitats.

 

[LostKiwi]

Anyone who has flown into NZ will know every flight is fumigated before landing.
Both countries are very strict on anything coming in. Both have already had serious ecological issues as a result of imported animals/reptiles/insects.

 

[keefysher]

Anyone who has flown into NZ will know every flight is fumigated before landing.
Both countries are very strict on anything coming in. Both have already had serious ecological issues as a result of imported animals/reptiles/insects.

At one time fumigation into Oz was compulsory. The last 3 occasions we've been it was only once and that was after nearly an hour of discussion at the air ramp. I was keeping that treat from family members who hadn't been to Oz before Wasn't fumigated going into Auckland from Sydney, despite the plane having come in from Dubai an hour or so earlier.

My first job involved shipping stuff into Oz with treated timber packing and was a 52Km long conveyor through a quarantined forest containing die back in WA that had it got out would wipe out vegetation across Oz. We did also use returning chilled containers, with no people smuggled or chillers on, as it was cheap

Other countries fumigate planes too. Africa and the Caribbean.

 

[LostKiwi]

NZ used to have aircrew walking down the plane with aerosols. These days they add it to the cabin air supply so it may be done without being noticed.

 

[keefysher]

NZ used to have aircrew walking down the plane with aerosols. These days they add it to the cabin air supply so it may be done without being noticed.

Aerosols down the aisles by the crew when it was done in Sydney. Not done in Perth or Brisbane, nor Auckland. They have to tell passengers, moreso with the propensity of respiratory conditions and allergies these days.