A man who tried to smuggle a dozen fertile chicken eggs into New Zealand has been fined $5000 and sentenced to community work.

In Lower Hutt District Court yesterday, John Jakeman was convicted for violating the Biosecurity Act after sourcing eggs from an overseas chicken breeder and suggested the supplier falsify the packaging description.

The self-confessed poultry fancier had gone to lengths to try and bypass New Zealand’s border biosecurity screening programmes, the Agriculture and Forestry Ministry said today.

MAF investigations manager Greg Reid said Jakeman was aware what he was doing was illegal and it was disappointing that someone was willing to risk bringing potential disease into the country.

”It is frustrating responding to incidents where people selfishly put the wellbeing of our country at risk,” Mr Reid said.

Along with the fine, Jakeman was ordered to complete 200 hours of community work.