Parent and carers who have purchased imported nappies are being urged to check for khapra beetles following a report of beetle larvae being found in nappy pants.

The federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) issued a notice yesterday (Tuesday 16 September).

The original report was officially lodged with the NSW Department of Primary Industries on 7 September.

NSW Farmers has moved to emphasise the potential biosecurity risk of the khapra beetle and question the strength of Australia's controls.

The nappy pants - Little One’s Ultra Dry Nappy Pants - Walker Size 5 (42pk) - are sold nationally only through Woolworths stores.

According to DAFF, no other nappy sizes or brands are considered to be affected at this stage.

NSW Farmers President Xavier Martin said the incident had come as a stark warning of the need to increase Australian biosecurity controls, funding and activity. 

 “This detection is the wakeup call our government needs to get serious on biosecurity,” Mr Martin said.  

“This is a pest that would have the same impact as a foot and mouth animal disease (FMD) outbreak in Australia, and it’s the number one threat to our grains industry. 

“Governments have to do everything in their power to contain and eradicate this pest, or the damage will be beyond our worst nightmare.” 

Khapra beetle adult (A) and larva (B) on grains of rice. [IMAGE: DAFF]

Khapra beetle are a serious pest of stored grain and dry foodstuffs worldwide.

The beetle is not currently present in Australia, and if it spreads it would pose a major threat to Australia’s grains and other plant industries.

Khapra beetles can cause some skin irritation and can be allergenic, but do not pose an immediate risk to human health in this context.

The beetle is found in at least 75 countries throughout Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Europe, and can spread through vectors such as imported grain, foodstuffs, machinery, cargo, mail and travellers. 

“More broadly we appear to be losing the biosecurity battle one pest at a time, with the shared responsibility approach not working as clearly evidenced by this incursion,” Mr Martin said. 

“Recently beef imports from North America have been approved and there is currently an application afoot to import bananas from the Philippines, both of which introduce unnecessary biosecurity risk on products produced in abundance in Australia.”  

DAFF say that Woolworths and the importer have been co-operative.

"The importer and Woolworths has been working with DAFF to ensure all goods associated with this shipment have been traced and treated where appropriate, to ensure they do not pose an ongoing biosecurity risk," a spokesperson said.

"DAFF continues to work closely with state and territory governments and key industry bodies on tracing and treatment requirements."

They said people working with imported goods, at ports, in warehouses or those transporting containers, need to be vigilant for hitchhiker pests.

DAFF recommends that members of the public who have purchased Little One’s Nappy Pants or any goods with signs of insect or pest activity do not use the goods and do not dispose of the goods or their packaging - where possible, seal the goods and their packaging in a bag to prevent any pest spread, and call 1800 798 636 or visit Report a pest or disease concern.