THE DEPARTMENT of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry have announced traces of both foot and mouth disease (FMD) and African swine fever (ASF) were recently detected in animal products on Australian shores.

Both the department and federal Agriculture Minister Murray Watt have reiterated that this find is not the first time viral fragments have been detected in Australia, however does not indicate the virus is confirmed to be present in the country.

Mr Watt said one of the detections was made "during retail surveillance exercises" where pork floss located at a supermarket in the Melbourne CBD tested positive for fragments of the virus.

"We have detected foot and mouth disease and African swine fever viral fragments in a small number of pork products that were for sale in the Melbourne CBD that were imported from China," Mr Watt said in a press conference earlier today.

"In addition, several other pork products for retail sale have tested positive for African swine fever viral fragments."

According to a department spokesperson, Pork floss is a processed, dried meat product that can be imported if it meets strict import conditions that mitigate the risk of exotic diseases, including ASF and FMD.

"The product (in question) was processed, but investigations have not found evidence that the treatment was to Australia’s requirements," the spokesperson said.

"Out of an abundance of caution, officers have seized product from all linked supermarkets and a warehouse in Melbourne."

In addition to testing products already on shelves, the department has also been testing meat products seized at the border from travellers and through the mail.

The spokesperson said this also recently resulted in a positive detection of FMD when an inbound international traveller was intercepted with a beef product at an Australian airport.

"When prompted by a biosecurity officer, the passenger declared a number of items of biosecurity concern at the border and was issued with a warning," they said.

"The seized beef item tested positive for FMD viral fragments. The public, retailers and importers are asked to be vigilant in their purchases, to play their part in protecting Australia from these terrible diseases."

According to the department, FMD is considered one of Australia’s greatest biosecurity threats to livestock and an incursion of either disease would have severe consequences for Australia’s animal health, trade and economy and its regional communities.

Breaches of Australia’s biosecurity are taken very seriously and offenders may face penalties including up to 10 years in jail, up to more than $1 million in fines or both.

Despite this, Mr Watt said it was important to note there had not been an incursion of either disease in Australia at this stage.

"I want to emphasise this does not pose a threat to human health and importantly, despite this, Australia does remain foot and mouth disease-free and African swine fever-free as well," he said.