Salmonella pullorum presents a significant risk to Australia’s poultry industry, the ministry of agriculture said.

It is a serious disease that can cause death, wasting and reproductive issues in flocks.

The ministry said that if it was to become established in Australia it could significantly damage an industry worth over A$2.5 billion to our economy.

The consignment has been housed as a single flock, which means all animals in the consignment have been exposed to the disease.

As there is no effective treatment option, the decision has been made to humanely euthanise the animals under supervision of qualified veterinarians.

The department has considered all available options in making this decision.

The ministry added that the detection demonstrates that Australia’s biosecurity system is working; this is what quarantine is designed to do.

All animals entering Australia are subject to rigorous health and quarantine checks under the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry’s strict import conditions.

The import protocols, which have been in place since 1998, require an absence of disease for the chickens to pass quarantine. Importers are made aware of the requirements when issued an import permit.

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) is the Australian Government authority that manages animal imports.

This matter is now before the Courts and DAFF said it will not be making any further comments until the matter has been resolved