Woman fined over illegal emu egg export

A New South Wales woman has been fined $5000 dollars for attempting to smuggle more than 50 fertilised emu eggs to Vietnam.

The woman was sentenced at Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court, after the eggs were seized before they could leave Australia on commercial flights.

An investigation found the eggs were intended to be sold as food in Vietnam, where emu eggs are considered a delicacy and can reportedly fetch up to $60 (Australian) each.

The National Environmental Protection Agency says exporting native wildlife, including eggs, without a permit is illegal, with offenders facing penalties of up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to $364,000 dollars.

National EPA Head of Compliance and Enforcement Dani Yannopoulos says illegal wildlife trade can have long-term consequences for species populations, biodiversity and ecosystems.

The agency says it is working with the Australian Border Force and international partners to disrupt illegal wildlife trafficking, and is urging anyone who suspects illegal activity to report it anonymously.