Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania

Latest Advisories

Subscribing to get Biosecurity Tasmania Advisories is the best way you can keep yourself up-to-date and fully informed about Tasmanian biosecurity issues. Our Advisories cover topics such as changes or proposed changes to Tasmania’s import regulations, animal health and welfare, plant health, forthcoming regulation reviews and opportunities for public comment, new or emerging pest/disease risks and a range of other matters related to Tasmania’s biosecurity.

227 advisories found for Gene+technology.

Biosecurity Advisory 38/2025 - APVMA Public Consultation Now Open on Proposed Changes to Anticoagulant Rodenticide Use

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has finalised its risk assessments on anticoagulant rodenticides and is proposing substantial changes to products in this category. These proposed changes will help to protect the safety of people and the environment, especially native birds and mammals.

If you would like to have your say, further information is available at www.apvma.gov.au/news-and-publications/news/apvma-proposes-sweeping-changes-anticoagulant-rodenticide-use

Questions about the proposed changes or this public consultation process can be directed to the APVMA at chemicalreview@apvma.gov.au

(19/12/2025)
Categories: Animal welfare; Animals (general); Cropping; Gene technology; Horticulture; Information for Bass Strait Islands; Livestock; Natural environment; Pasture; Policy and Legislation;

Biosecurity Advisory 35/2025 - Tomato potato psyllid detections in Victoria

Tomato potato psyllid (TPP) is an insect pest that affects crops including potatoes, tomatoes and capsicums. It feeds on other plants too including eggplants chillies, tamarillos, and sweet potatoes. Its feeding can cause plants to become stunted, with curled and yellow leaves. TPP is established in Western Australia and was detected on the Bellarine Peninsula in Victoria in 2024. In October 2025 it was found in a Melbourne backyard outside of the Bellarine Peninsula Restricted Area.

TPP does not impact food safety and there is no risk to consumers.

This latest detection in Victoria will affect the movement of host and carrier materials between states, including to Tasmania. Due to this, Biosecurity Tasmania will be amending the current import requirements for TPP (Import Requirement (IR) 46 under the Plant Biosecurity Manual Tasmania 2024 edition).

These changes to import requirements will help to minimise the risk of TPP entering Tasmania while still maintaining necessary trade pathways between Tasmanian and Victoria for produce.

Agriculture Victoria is also rapidly implementing required accreditation arrangements to provide confidence in product movements to Tasmania being free of TPP.

The changes we are making to IR46 expand the treatment options available for TPP entering Tasmania and will include:

Methyl bromide fumigation or irradiation for host and carrier produce (fruit and vegetables), cut flowers and nursery stock.
Insecticide and export inspection for host and carrier nursery stock.

These changes will come into effect on 8 December 2025.

These changes to IR46 are new and relate to a plant pest that Victorian businesses have not had to previously consider managing, particularly when exporting goods to Tasmania.

Some commodities may not be as readily available as usual while businesses adapt their processes to meet the new requirements in IR46. This may include imported cut flowers, imported nursery stock, and some imported produce.

We do not anticipate this will impact food availability overall or cause food shortages. However, you may need to seek out alternative shops, businesses or suppliers to source some imported items while Victorian businesses adjust to these changes.

Shops and businesses that stock local or Tasmanian-grown flowers, nursery stock and produce will be unaffected.

The revised IR46 will be established through the issuance of a Group Permit and will be available on our website from 8 December 2025 at www.nre.tas.gov.au/biosecurity-tasmania/the-tasmanian-biosecurity-compendium/group-permits

It is important to note this Group Permit will override the IR46 currently listed in the Plant Biosecurity Manual Tasmania 2024 edition. A new version of the manual with the revised IR46 will be issued in due course.

TPP can also spread a serious disease called Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum (CLso), which causes “zebra chip" in potatoes. This disease creates dark stripes inside potatoes, making them unmarketable and reducing crop yields. CLso is not currently present in Australia.

Further updates on the TPP detections in Victoria are available on the Agriculture Victoria website.

To stay informed on any changes to regulation for produce entering Tasmania from Victoria, visit the Department of Natural Resources and Environment webpage.

(5/12/2025)
Categories: Cropping; Gene technology; Horticulture; Information for Bass Strait Islands; Invasive Species; Natural environment; Pasture; Plant diseases; Plant pests; Policy and Legislation; Seeds; Timber imports;

Biosecurity Advisory 31/2025 - Start of Fruit Fly High Risk Season for Tasmania

Spring is here, which means more pressure and risk of fruit flies occurring in fruit from mainland states. Biosecurity Tasmania asks all Tasmanians to keep an eye out for anything unusual in the fruit they buy or grow. The spring and summer months are the peak times for fruit fly activity interstate and a time of increased risk for Tasmania.

Tasmania is fruit fly free, help us keep it that way!

Biosecurity Tasmania has strict controls and ongoing statewide surveillance in place; all aimed at reducing the risk of fruit flies getting into Tasmania. We also rely on the eyes of everyone and ask everybody to report any signs of fruit fly.

Tell-tale signs of fruit fly include live larvae or eggs in the flesh of fruit, or small puncture marks on the skin of fruit. Fruit fly larvae look similar to blowfly maggots and could potentially be found in fruit that you purchased, or from fruit grown in your backyard.

Fruit flies lay eggs in a wide range of fruits and fruiting vegetables.

Remember biosecurity is a shared responsibility, and we all have a general biosecurity duty. Biosecurity Tasmania works closely with mainland states to help manage the fruit fly risk and there are increased resources and inspections taking place at the border for imported fruit fly host produce. However, the risk to Tasmania can never be zero. Therefore industry, government and the community are encouraged to remain vigilant and work together to help protect Tasmania.

Anyone who notices any larvae in fruit is asked to put the fruit in a sealed bag or container, place it in the refrigerator and contact Biosecurity Tasmania on 03 6165 3777. Please DO NOT dispose of any fruit that has larvae present.

More information on fruit fly is at www.nre.tas.gov.au/fruitfly

(7/10/2025)
Categories: Animal welfare; Animals (general); Cropping; Gene technology; Horticulture; Information for Bass Strait Islands; Invasive Species; Natural environment; Plant diseases; Plant pests; Policy and Legislation; Seeds; Timber imports; Wildlife; Bird flu; Freshwater pests; Livestock; Marine pests; Pasture;

Biosecurity Advisory 24/2025 - Update on Potato mop-top virus detection in Tasmania

Biosecurity Tasmania is responding to the detection of Potato mop-top virus on a property in Northwest Tasmania.

A biosecurity incident has been declared, and an Incident Management Team has been implemented to manage the biosecurity response. The Incident Management Team was formed upon initial suspicion that the plant virus was present in Tasmania.

Biosecurity Directions are in place to stop the movement of potato material, machinery and equipment from the site and an associated storage facility.

Through the additional surveillance and sampling activities being conducted as part of the biosecurity response, an additional site has returned a positive result for Potato mop-top virus in potato tubers.

This was confirmed via diagnostic testing on the evening of 20 August 2025.

This detection was made in volunteer potato tubers originating from a research plot in the states South.

Biosecurity Tasmania is working with owner of the research plot to undertake tracing activities.

Volunteer potatoes are residual potatoes that can remain in the ground following a harvest. The tubers can survive in the soil and then sprout in future seasons.

The biosecurity response to Potato mop-top virus remains in the investigation phase and next steps, including an assessment of the feasibility of eradication, will depend on further information gathered.

All potato growers need to remain vigilant for any signs of disease in potato plants and potato stock.

If you think you have seen Potato mop-top virus in your crop or backyard, phone the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881.

To stay updated on the biosecurity response to Potato mop-top virus in Tasmania, visit www.nre.tas.gov.au/PMTV

(22/8/2025)
Categories: Animals (general); Cropping; Gene technology; Horticulture; Information for Bass Strait Islands; Invasive Species; Livestock; Natural environment; Pasture; Plant diseases; Plant pests; Policy and Legislation; Seeds; Timber imports;

Biosecurity Advisory 23/2025 - Potato mop-top virus detected in Tasmania

Biosecurity Tasmania is responding to the detection of Potato mop-top virus (PMTV; Pomovirus solani) in potatoes harvested from Northwest Tasmania.

There are no food safety or human health risks associated with PMTV or powdery scab (Spongospora subterranea) and potatoes remain safe to consume.

Potato mop-top virus is a plant virus that affects the development and quality of potatoes and is most commonly spread by the soil-borne pathogen that causes powdery scab in potatoes (Spongospora subterranea).

The virus has been detected on a property in Northwest Tasmania following an industry member reporting potatoes showing signs of disease to Biosecurity Tasmania. Control measures are in place to manage the movement of possible risk material including potatoes and soil.

Biosecurity Tasmania has formed an Incident Management Team to respond to this detection and have commenced additional surveillance and diagnostics.

Biosecurity Tasmania is working with impacted businesses and the potato industry to conduct tracing operations. This will help to determine the distribution of PMTV in Tasmania and identify the likely source of infection.

This detection represents the first occurrence of PMTV in Australia. Tasmania will work with both state and national industry groups and other government jurisdictions to determine the feasibility of eradication.

These discussions will inform ongoing response activities in Tasmania

All growers and members of the public to remain vigilant for any signs of disease in potato plants and potato stock. You should report anything unusual such as signs of disease or other pests to Biosecurity Tasmania immediately, or the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline at 1800 084 881.

More information will be published online at www.nre.tas.gov.au/currentalerts as surveillance and diagnostic activities continue.

Further updates will be announced online and via the Tasmanian Biosecurity Advisory Service, which you can subscribe to at www.biosecurityadvisory.nre.tas.gov.au/subscribe

If you need assistance of support during this time, please remember that help is always available. You can contact:

Lifeline 24/7 - 13 11 14
Access Mental Health Phoneline - 1800 332 388

This is a 24/7 mental health support, triage, and referral phone line delivered by the Tasmanian Department of Health in partnership with Lifeline Tasmania.

Rural Alive and Well (RAW) - 1800 729 827 or online www.ruralaliveandwell.com.au

(13/8/2025)
Categories: Animal welfare; Animals (general); Bird flu; Cropping; Freshwater pests; Gene technology; Horticulture; Information for Bass Strait Islands; Invasive Species; Livestock; Marine pests; Natural environment; Pasture; Plant diseases; Plant pests; Policy and Legislation; Seeds; Timber imports; Wildlife;

Biosecurity Advisory 18/2025 - Tasmanian Weeds Action Fund Stage 3 - Round 1

Since 2019, the Tasmanian government has invested over $6 million on weed management in Tasmania through the Weeds Action Fund (WAF).

WAF Stages 1 and 2 delivered projects aimed at ensuring the viability of Tasmania's agricultural, horticultural and conservation lands. WAF Stage 2 projects are in the final stages of delivery and will be concluding in June 2025.

The Tasmanian Weeds Action Fund Stage 3 is now open for grant applications. The grant round runs from 5 May 2025 to 26 May 2025 and is open to Tasmanian businesses and organisations involved in natural resource management activities.

The focus of WAF Stage 3 is on the delivery of six major projects worth a total of $1,190,000. These projects will be rolled out across Tasmania from 2025-2027.

The six projects cover priority weeds and specific regions of the state. They will include established and emerging agricultural and environmental weeds.

Grant Guidelines and Specifications are available online at www.nre.tas.gov.au/invasive-species/weeds/tasmanian-weeds-action-fund

Key elements of WAF Stage 3 include:

Encouraging strategic, cross-tenure, weed management planning and actions at a local and regional scale.
Implementing on-ground works targeting key priority species affecting rural production and conservation assets.
Building on previous WAF Stage 1 and 2 projects, including funding follow-up works and implementing actions identified under weed management plans and strategies.
Developing 'legacy' elements, with value and use beyond this funding round. This will include developing online resources, and education and awareness activities to help build weed management capacity.

(6/5/2025)
Categories: Animals (general); Cropping; Gene technology; Horticulture; Information for Bass Strait Islands; Invasive Species; Natural environment; Pasture; Policy and Legislation; Plant pests; Plant diseases;

Biosecurity Advisory 17/2025 - Review of Animal Welfare (Animal Transport) Regulations – Public Consultation still open

Tasmania has Animal Welfare Regulations in place for the transport of livestock, administered under the Animal Welfare Act 1993. These Regulations cover a range of species when being transported.

A recent review by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania (NRE Tas) has highlighted that the Regulations are largely sufficient for most species being transported but need review in the context of horses and bobby calves (calves under 30 days of age).

NRE Tas had produced a discussion paper outlining several proposed changes to improve Animal Welfare during transit for horses and bobby calves.

This discussion paper should be read in conjunction with the Animal Welfare (Transport of Livestock) Regulations (No.2) 2023, which can be found at www.legislation.tas.gov.au

Public consultation is still open on the discussion paper and will close at 5pm on 9 May 2025. You can access the discussion paper and make a public submission at www.nre.tas.gov.au/biosecurity-tasmania/animal-welfare/legislation-standards-guidelines/animal-welfare-(transport-of-livestock)-regulations

(29/4/2025)
Categories: Animal welfare; Animals (general); Gene technology; Information for Bass Strait Islands; Livestock; Policy and Legislation;

Biosecurity Advisory 16/2025 - Public Release of Plant Biosecurity Import Risk Analysis (IRA) Reports for Potato and Myrtle Rust

Following public consultation in October 2024, Biosecurity Tasmania is releasing two new plant biosecurity Import Risk Analysis (IRA) reports. The finalised IRAs will result in the inclusion of Import Requirements in the 2025 edition of the Plant Biosecurity Manual Tasmania (the Manual).

When assessing the pest risks associated with the trade of imported biosecurity matter (plants and plant products) into Tasmania, Biosecurity Tasmania follows nationally and internationally recognised pest risk analysis methodology. This helps to identify pests that may exceed Tasmania's Appropriate Level of Protection (ALOP) of 'very low' risk if their trade occurs unregulated. For those pests identified as presenting an unacceptable level of risk in trade, risk mitigation measures are then introduced to reduce the risk in trade to an acceptable level.

IRA for Potato

The IRA for potato is a 3-part report that reviews the risk presented by potato imports for all types of potato matter and is the first ever 'commodity level' review undertaken by Biosecurity Tasmania for the state. The potato industry sector in Tasmania was consulted closely throughout the review.

The IRA comprises a review of 687 pests and diseases of potato in total. Approximately 40% of these pests are known to be present in Tasmania while 66% of the reviewed pests are present in mainland Australia.

Twenty-six pests and diseases of potato were subject to full risk assessment against nine identified potential pathways for entry of potato matter into the state.

The IRA found that regulations in trade need to be introduced for seven different pests of significant biosecurity concern, along with a declared weed genus – Orobanche spp. (broomrapes).

IRA for Myrtle Rust

The IRA for Myrtle Rust addresses the serious threat posed by the invasive disease myrtle rust (Austropuccinia psidii) to the Australian natural environment. This disease continues to cause serious damage to Australian native ecosystems and plant species along the eastern seaboard of mainland Australia. The disease attacks a very wide range of species in the Myrtaceae plant family wherever the disease has been introduced around the world.

First detected in Australia in 2010 it has spread rapidly and driven several highly susceptible Myrtaceae species to near extinction.

Though a strain of myrtle rust is present in Tasmania, pest records of this disease's presence in the field in Tasmania (both north and south) confirm that the disease is entirely limited to introduced (exotic) hybridised Myrtaceae nursery plants like Lophomyrtus cultivars in home gardens. To date, there have been no pest records of myrtle rust occurring on native Tasmanian myrtaceae species.

The IRA confirmed that the unrestricted risk estimate of this disease being potentially re-introduced via trade of 'at risk' Myrtaceae plant matter from interstate still exceeds Tasmania's ALOP of 'very low' risk. As a result, a new import requirement (IR47) will be introduced into the Tasmanian plant biosecurity manual to regulate the trade of 'at risk' plant nursery stock.

A profile of the disease can be found on the NRE Tas website here: Myrtle Rust | Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania

Where can you find a copy of these reports?

Downloadable copies of both these IRAs can be found on online at: Finalised Import Risk Analyses | Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania

(8/4/2025)
Categories: Cropping; Gene technology; Horticulture; Information for Bass Strait Islands; Invasive Species; Natural environment; Pasture; Plant diseases; Plant pests; Policy and Legislation; Seeds;

Biosecurity Advisory 15/2025 - Public Consultation Open on the FSANZ Egg Food Safety Standard Review

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has completed a review of egg food safety and primary production requirements under the Food Standards Code (the Code). The review proposes amendments to Standard 4.2.5 Primary production and processing standard for eggs and egg products.

Proposed amendments to the Code will strengthen egg and egg product safety in Australia through measures including environmental monitoring, improved traceability and temperature control during storage and transport.

Eggs are an important part of a healthy diet and a staple food for many Australians, so ensuring their continued safety is essential.

The proposed changes build on existing biosecurity and food safety measures to further reduce the risk of Salmonella Enteritidis and strengthen traceability throughout the supply chain.

The evidence-based amendments will help to minimise risks to public health, improve the response to potential outbreaks and support nationally consistent regulation of eggs and egg products.

This review follows a 2018-19 Salmonella Enteritidis outbreak linked to eggs which resulted in 245 illnesses.

To have your say about this proposal visit the FSANZ Consultation Hub. Submissions close at 11:59pm (AEST) on 12 May 2025.

(4/4/2025)
Categories: Animal welfare; Animals (general); Gene technology; Information for Bass Strait Islands; Livestock; Policy and Legislation; Wildlife;

Biosecurity Advisory 14/2025 - Renewal of ToBRFV General Biosecurity Direction

South Australia's Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) and Agriculture Victoria are responding to detections of tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV).

In November 2024, a National Response Plan to eradicate the virus under the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed was endorsed by the National Management Group. The plan was developed by PIRSA in conjunction with Commonwealth, state and territory government representatives, and industry representatives.

ToBRFV has not been detected in Tasmania however the virus has been confirmed on 4 properties in South Australia and on a property in Victoria.

To protect Tasmanian industries and home gardens, Biosecurity Tasmania's Chief Plant Protection Officer put in place an emergency biosecurity direction in October 2024. This biosecurity direction prevents the movement of ToBRFV host plants or plant materials into Tasmania from areas known to be infected with the virus or linked to known infections.

This emergency biosecurity direction has been renewed for a further six months (unless revoked earlier) and can be viewed at www.nre.tas.gov.au/biosecurity-tasmania/the-tasmanian-biosecurity-compendium/general-biosecurity-directions

ToBRFV is a highly contagious plant virus that affects tomatoes, capsicums and chillies. Infected plants show symptoms such as mosaic patterns, yellowing and deformities on leaves, while fruits develop brown wrinkled spots, deformations and uneven ripening. These symptoms result in reduced yield and marketability. The virus has no known effects on human health.

Report anything unusual immediately to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881 or contact us at biosecurity.tasmania@nre.tas.gov.au

For further information about the detections in South Australia and Victoria visit www.outbreak.gov.au

(4/4/2025)
Categories: Cropping; Gene technology; Horticulture; Natural environment; Pasture; Plant diseases; Policy and Legislation; Seeds;

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