AUSTRALIAN QUARANTINE STAFF INSPECT IMPORTED FLOWERS IN SYDNEY, 2002-02-10 (photo)

Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) staff Jeff Mitshabu (L) views insects under a microscope that Alison Cannon (R) is shaking from bunches of roses imported from India in the cut flower inspection room at AQIS premises in Sydney on February 10, 2002. Of the 3,500,000 roses imported into Australia annually 1,000,000 are imported in the two weeks leading up to Valentines Day from countries including India, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Columbia and South Africa. Imported flowers are inspected for insects, snails, soil and disease before being fumigated and where appropriate, treated with herbicide to prevent development of plants from cuttings. REUTERS/Tim Wimborne TBW/PB