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.

324 advisories found for Invasive+Species.

Biosecurity Advisory 06/2026 – Commencement of the 2026 Tasmanian calicivirus (RHDV1) release for rabbit control

Rabbits are considered to be Australia’s most significant invasive pest. They impact many landowners, as well as Australia’s threatened species and environments.

Biosecurity Tasmania will be releasing calicivirus (RHDV1) in Autumn 2026 to help Tasmanian landowners manage rabbit populations. Releases will occur in locations where conditions are suitable.

Calicivirus will not be released at locations where there was a previous release in the past 12 months in order to reduce the risk of rabbit populations becoming immune to calicivirus.

A calicivirus release will not eliminate every rabbit at a site. As a result, it is important that land managers employ other rabbit control methods following a knockdown of the rabbit population from a calicivirus release. This will help to both lower numbers as far as possible and prevent reinfestation, reducing the need for repeated control operations.

Calicivirus is not a poison and is specific to rabbits (and hares). There is no risk of calicivirus transferring to other animals or humans.

For more information about calicivirus, how to protect pet rabbits, and calicivirus release sites, visit the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania website at: https://nre.tas.gov.au/rabbits

Advice about rabbit management and control techniques is available on the NRE Tas European Rabbits webpage, or contact Biosecurity Tasmania at: invasivespecies@nre.tas.gov.au

(13/3/2026)
Categories: Animal welfare; Animals (general); Invasive Species; Natural environment; Pasture; Wildlife;

Biosecurity Advisory 05/2026 – Release of the 'Cat Management in Tasmania – Discussion Paper' for public consultation

The Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania (NRE Tas) has released the Cat Management in Tasmania - Discussion Paper for consultation.

This discussion paper is the first stage in developing a new Tasmanian Cat Management Plan, which will guide cat management across the state for the next five years.

The Discussion Paper includes questions so you can tell us what you would like to see in a new plan.

Submissions must be received by 5pm Friday 15 May 2026.

To read the discussion paper and find out how to have your say, visit: https://nre.tas.gov.au/cat-management

(10/3/2026)
Categories: Animal welfare; Animals (general); Invasive Species; Policy and Legislation; Wildlife; Natural environment;

Biosecurity Advisory 02/2026 - Applying Agricultural Chemicals in Tasmania

Agricultural and veterinary chemicals play an important role in primary production by protecting crops and livestock from unwanted pests, weeds and diseases.

Misuse of chemicals can result in risks to human health, animal health and the environment.

The Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Control of Use) Act 1995 and its supporting legislation sets out the legal requirements for users of agricultural and veterinary chemicals in Tasmania.

There are a number of specific Codes of Practice setting out requirements, guidelines and recommendations for the use and application of agricultural chemical products. Many of these requirements and guidelines are specific to particular types of use, such as ground spraying activities, aerial spraying or spraying in public places.

Codes of Practice

A number of requirements are common to all users. Some of the most important include:

Only using registered agricultural chemical products.
Using products that are the least toxic to people and the environment that can do the job effectively.
Ensuring agricultural chemical products are applied properly by following their label instructions (unless variations have been granted via permit).
Ensuring products are stored in a dry, well-ventilated area not easily accessed by children or animals.
Ensuring spray equipment is in good condition and appropriate protective/safety equipment is used.
Ensuring that all spray equipment and associated machinery is rinsed and washed down after spraying activities.

These are legal requirements and there are penalties for non-compliance.

Commercial operators

In addition, businesses providing a pest, weed or disease control service must hold a Commercial Operator Licence. Employees applying agricultural chemical products must have a Certificate of Competency relevant to the type of work they perform. For details see Licences and Certificates.

Records of spraying operations must be kept, including the date, location and name and rates of any chemical products applied.

If spraying in cropping situations or where produce is intended for consumption, records need to include:

location
date
type and area of crop sprayed
amount and name of chemical applied
application rates
equipment used

Where possible, windspeed, direction and air temperature should also be included.

If you are a commercial grower or producer intending to spray, we encourage you to notify occupiers of properties and buildings within 100 metres of any area to be sprayed however, this is not a mandatory requirement. Notification should be given at least one, but preferably two days in advance. The information you provide should include details of the sprays to be used and the steps that will be taken to minimise drift.

'A person must not carry out or cause to be carried out agricultural spraying which adversely affects any person, plants, stock, agricultural produce, water bodies, groundwater or soil, on premises, or any premises, not owned or occupied by the person carrying out or causing to be carried out the agricultural spraying unless that person has obtained the permission of the owner or occupier of the premises.' (s.30. Damage by spray drift, Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Control of Use) Act 1995)

NOTE – causing damage by spray drift is an offence carrying potential fines of up to $41,000.00. For full details of the requirements specific to your circumstances refer to the relevant Codes of Practice.

(11/2/2026)
Categories: Animal welfare; Animals (general); Cropping; Freshwater pests; Horticulture; Information for Bass Strait Islands; Livestock; Invasive Species; Marine pests; Natural environment; Pasture; Plant diseases; Plant pests; Policy and Legislation; Seeds;

Biosecurity Advisory 36/2025 - Additional Information on changes to Import Requirement 46 - Hosts and Carriers of Tomato Potato Psyllid

The group permit outlining amendments to Import Requirement (IR) 46 for Potential Hosts or Carriers of Tomato Potato Psyllid entering Tasmania came into effect on Monday 8 December 2025. It is available online at https://nre.tas.gov.au/biosecurity-tasmania/the-tasmanian-biosecurity-compendium/group-permits

The new IR includes multiple new treatment options and import pathways for hosts and carriers of tomato potato psyllid (TPP). Hosts include potatoes, tomatoes, capsicums, eggplants, chillies, tamarillos, and sweet potatoes . TPP can also be carried by multiple types of produce with green tops, and nursery stock, plants and cut flowers. A complete list of hosts and carriers can be requested from the Department for businesses that require it.

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.

To support businesses while adjusting their operational activities to meet the new requirements, Biosecurity Tasmania has implemented a grace period until 22 December 2025. During this time, we will focus on educating and providing advice to businesses that fall short of the new requirements, or if there are any minor discrepancies with the importation process for TPP hosts and carriers. Major or intentional breaches of regulations may still be investigated under relevant legislation.

Businesses must make all reasonable efforts to ensure they comply with the new requirements outlined in the group permit, and failure to meet Tasmanian import requirements may result in penalties under the Biosecurity Act 2019.

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 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.

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

(11/12/2025)
Categories: Cropping; Horticulture; Invasive Species; Plant diseases; Plant pests; 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 34/2025 - Beekeeper Request for Hive Monitoring and Reporting

Tasmania remains free of varroa mite. If varroa mite were to establish here, it would have significant impacts on our bee population, pollination services, and honey production.

Early detection is our best defence. Monitoring and reporting by beekeepers is vital because it enables action to be taken while varroa populations are still small and manageable.

What you can do:

Carry out regular monitoring of your hives using alcohol wash, soapy water wash or sugar shake.
Report all results in BeeTAS, even if they are negative.

Why your monitoring matters:

The more beekeepers across Tasmania who regularly monitor and report their findings across Tasmania, the stronger our ability is to detect varroa mite early.
Reporting negative results is important as they provide confidence in Tasmania’s varroa mite-free status.
Reporting negative results also provides critical information to help guide decision-making if varroa mite is ever detected in Tasmania.

BeeTAS also hosts a ‘heatmap’, a visual representation of hive monitoring reports across Tasmania. It maps the number of inspection events in a particular area (rectangular) recorded through BeeTas. Within the area of each rectangle, the inspection location data is anonymous. You can find the heatmap here.

If you need help with monitoring or reporting, please contact the Biosecurity Tasmania Apiary team on Honeybee.Biosecurity@nre.tas.gov.au

Further contact details are available on the varroa mite webpage on the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania website: Varroa Mite – Biosecurity Tasmania

Thank you for your ongoing support in protecting Tasmania’s bees and apiary-reliant industries.

(25/11/2025)
Categories: Cropping; Horticulture; Invasive Species; Plant pests; Animals (general);

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 22/2025 - Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Surveillance Paused For Winter

Biosecurity Tasmania (BT) has paused surveillance of Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB; Halyomorpha halys) in Bell Bay for the winter months as any BMSB in the area will have entered diapause and will not be attracted to traps. Surveillance will recommence in Spring when BMSB are most active between October and April.

BMSB was initially detected in a National Plant Health Surveillance Program border surveillance trap and identified as BMSB on 13 February 2025. Biosecurity Tasmania stood up an Incident Management Team (IMT) to manage and coordinate the response to this BMSB detection and commenced response activities in line with national arrangements.

Following the initial detection, an enhanced surveillance regime was implemented consisting of an additional 14 BMSB specific traps, and additional inspection, beating and netting of potential host plants for BMSB in risk areas. This increased surveillance remained in place for 12 weeks from the initial detection.

During this period of enhanced trapping and surveillance, a second detection of BMSB was confirmed on 11 March 2025. This detection was in very close proximity to the initial detection site and was not unexpected given the increased surveillance activities underway. A further four traps were implemented in response to the second detection. No further detections were made for the remainder of the season.

BT will recommence enhanced surveillance in mid-October in the Bell Bay area for eight weeks to ensure Tasmania is once again free of BMSB. Following this, surveillance will be reassessed, and it is likely that some additional traps will remain in Bell Bay to supplement the regular National Plant Health Surveillance Program traps for the remainder of the season.

More information is available online at www.nre.tas.gov.au/biosecurity-tasmania/current-biosecurity-alerts

If you think you have seen BMSB in your crop or backyard, phone the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881.

(1/8/2025)
Categories: Cropping; Horticulture; Invasive Species; Natural environment; Plant pests;

1 to 10 of 324 news items Next >>