3D X-rays to boost border biosecurity

World-first cutting-edge technology will soon be used to crack down on wildlife smuggling that threatens Australia’s $80 billion ag industry.

Australia’s $80 billion agricultural industry will soon have another layer of protection from potentially devastating exotic diseases when world-first 3D X-ray scanning technology is rolled out at border entry points.

Live imports are a potential vehicle for the introduction of some of the world’s worst viruses, pests and animal diseases, such as foot and mouth, lumpy skin, African swine fever and equine and avian influenza H5N1.

Federal authorities have ramped up border policing efforts in recent years given the potentially devastating impact on the nation’s livestock trade, poultry, dairy, beef and meat processing and crop and fruit growing sectors.

Until now, border inspectors have mostly relied on physical luggage, mail and cargo searches, a flat 2D image and sniffer dogs to stop wildlife smuggling.

While 3D X-ray algorithms are currently used to scan for organic meat and plant contraband, the new wildlife 3D X-ray CT technology uses real time tomography and machine learning over time to create instant, rotatable 3D images specifically targeting live animals.

Example of successful 3D x-ray lizard detection via the new wildlife algorithm. This is a screenshot from the user interface alerting the operator of a detected shingleback lizard.

Wildlife scientist and report lead author Dr Vanessa Pirotta said the algorithms

could revolutionise international border security.

“Now you can be looking for bananas and find lizards at the same time,” she said.

“Using 3D to look in and around items in luggage for animals is a huge step up from 2D.

“We don’t know the extent of what is being smuggled in or out of the country, so the more we know, the more we can act.

“And the more we can protect our natural environment and minimise the threat against our agriculture industries and protect the livelihoods of those who we rely on to supply our fruit and vegetables and other things.”

Detector dogs and 2D X-rays are relied upon to find illegal imports of wildlife and produce that pose biosecurity risks.

The Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry said officers were being trained in the algorithm before its expected to be deployed later this year.

It also confirmed two 3D x-ray units would be installed at international airports in 2023, one at an international mail centre and a fourth as a trial in a commercial air cargo facility.

There are currently three 3D x-ray units at Australian international mail centres.

Nationals leader David Littleproud said it was essential for the government to assist neighbouring countries to also implement the technology to tighten the region’s biosecurity defences.

DAFF biosecurity and compliance group deputy secretary Chris Locke said the units had shown “boundless potential”.

“This innovative technology is an invaluable complementary platform to our existing biosecurity and wildlife detection tools at Australian international borders, with potential worldwide applications in the future,” he said.

According to a research report released last week, 294 scans of 13 species of lizards, birds and fish were taken with a detection rate of 82 per cent and false hit rate of just 1.6 per cent.