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.

275 advisories found for Livestock.

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 21/2025 - Nominations for the 2025 Tasmanian Biosecurity Awards are now open.

The Tasmanian Biosecurity Awards recognise individuals, organisations or businesses that have significantly contributed to the support, maintenance or improvement of biosecurity systems within Tasmania.

This is an opportunity to recognise those in our communities and industries who have gone above and beyond to help protect our future.

Biosecurity is foundational to Tasmania’s economic, cultural and natural values and we all share the benefits of our strong biosecurity system.

It underpins our multi-billion-dollar agri-food production and export industries, and helps to protect our unique flora, fauna and ecosystems that are of immeasurable value to Tasmanians, including our First Nations peoples, the original and ongoing custodians of Land and Sea Country, as well as visitors to our state.

The awards recognise two categories, the Tasmanian Community Biosecurity Award and the Tasmanian Industry Biosecurity Award.

In 2024 the Community Award was won by Bettina Elischer and the Industry Award by the TasPorts Environment and Sustainability Team.

Bettina was recognised for her outstanding contribution to the Tasmanian beekeeping community and Biosecurity Tasmania’s statewide bee pest surveillance program through the apiary program that she runs at Government House in Hobart.

TasPorts were recognised for their work to increase awareness and knowledge of biosecurity threats at their ports through development of educational material and reporting pathways for each port, as well as reinforcement through a compliance program.

If you, your team, business, organisation, group, or someone that you know, has contributed to supporting and improving biosecurity in Tasmania, you can submit a nomination today.

More information about the awards and the online nomination form can be found at – www.nre.tas.gov.au/tasbiosecurityawards

(1/8/2025)
Categories: Animal welfare; Animals (general); Cropping; Freshwater pests; Horticulture; Information for Bass Strait Islands; Invasive Species; Livestock; Marine pests; Natural environment; Plant diseases; Plant pests; Policy and Legislation; Seeds; Timber imports; Wildlife; Pasture;

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 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 9/2025 – Bobby Calf Tag Reimbursement Scheme now open

As of 1 January 2025, all bobby calves that leave their property of birth to go direct to slaughter at Tasmanian Quality Meats (TQM) must be tagged with a National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) approved cattle electronic identification device (eID) tag.

The Tasmanian Bobby Calf Tag Reimbursement Scheme (The Scheme) has been established to assist industry transition to mandatory eIDs for bobby calves going direct to slaughter.

The Scheme provides a reimbursement of $4.50 per bobby calf processed at TQM.

The Scheme Guidelines provide further detail, including information on eligibility criteria, assessment criteria, and terms and conditions.

Key Dates

The Scheme runs from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025.

Reimbursements will be payable on all bobby calves processed at TQM during this period.

Eligibility

To be eligible for a reimbursement, the following applies:

You must have an active Property Identification Code (PIC).
You must be authorised by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania (NRE Tas) to order and use NLIS accredited cattle devices on a PIC.
You produce bobby calves that are processed at TQM during the period 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2025.
You agree to comply with your legislative obligations regarding the eID tagging of stock and the supply of a movement document for bobby calves leaving your property going direct to slaughter at TQM.

How to apply

Read the Bobby Calf Tag Reimbursement Support Scheme Guidelines.
Submit an online application through Smarty Grants.

Note: If the individual reimbursement amount is $10,000 or more, you will need to submit a valid tax invoice with your application. The invoice should seek from the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania (NRE Tas) the amount to be claimed in your re-imbursement application.

More information

If you would like more information or need assistance with the reimbursement process, please contact an Industry Support Officer by telephone on 0477 391 282 or by email at nlis.tas@nre.tas.gov.au

For more information about eID requirements for bobby calves, visit the Biosecurity Tasmania website: Bobby calf electronic identification | Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania

(21/2/2025)
Categories: Animal welfare; Animals (general); Policy and Legislation; Information for Bass Strait Islands; Livestock;

Biosecurity Advisory 6/2025 - Updates to the Tasmanian Animal Biosecurity Manual - v2.0 13 February 2025

Tasmania has controls over the importation of animals, disease agents, biosecurity matter and carriers from other States or Territories. These controls are enacted under the Biosecurity Act 2019 (the Act).

These import requirements and conditions can be found within one easy-to-access document, the Tasmanian Animal Biosecurity Manual (TABM).

The TABM is a dynamic document and is updated from time-to-time as imports requirements are reviewed to ensure they are fit-for-purpose and continue to build on the strength of our biosecurity and traceability systems.

What has changed?

1.1.2 Equidae – horses, donkeys, mules, ponies, zebras

Food during transport

Wording updated to align with the Plant Biosecurity Manual Tasmania.

General notes about the importation of animals and animal products

Fees and Charges

An explanatory section on Fees and Charges has been added to notify importers that fees and charges may apply to recover the costs of operational functions carried out by authorised officers under the Act, including import inspections and clearance operations.

Provision of documentation

A note has been added that any certification and/or other documentation required for importation of animals and animal products may be provided to Biosecurity Tasmania in either hard copy or electronic formats. Documents provided must be clear, accessible and all information able to be read.

Updates to importation requirements for Cattle (3.1.7), Goats (3.1.12), Pigs (3.1.18) and Sheep (3.1.22)

Post-sale summary documentation may now be provided as an alternative to National Vendor Declarations (NVDs) [Cattle, Goats and Sheep only]

The TABM previously required importers of cattle, sheep and goats to supply a valid NVD or electronic NVD (eNVD) to Biosecurity Tasmania for each consignment as part of import documentation.

Under Section 24 of the Biosecurity (Livestock Traceability) Regulations 2024 the Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania has approved the saleyard post-sale summary as a movement document. A post-sale summary may be provided as an alternative to NVDs or eNVDs for cattle, sheep and goats.

Post-sale summaries are a type of document provided by saleyards. Examples include, but are not limited to:

Purchaser/buyer post-sale summary/report,
Saleyard outward movement record,
Purchaser information (complete),
Buyer’s reconciliation/summary report.

Regardless of which version is used, a post-sale summary document must include the following information to be accepted by Biosecurity Tasmania:

Address and name of sale venue.
Date of the sale.
Selling agent’s name.
Saleyard Number or PIC
Vendor (origin) PIC.
All NVD numbers associated with the consignor’s movement document.
Destination (transfer) PIC.
Number of head in each purchase lot.
Description of the livestock categories.

A post-sale summary may include the time of last access to feed and water.

Provision of Health Certificates and National Health Declarations now voluntary [cattle, goats and sheep only]

The TABM previously required importers of cattle, sheep and goats to supply a valid health certificate endorsed by an Authorised Officer from the Department of Primary Industries or equivalent in the state of origin to Biosecurity Tasmania as part of import documentation for breeding or store animals. Sheep and goats were also required to supply a National Health Declaration.

Provision of health certificates and national health declarations is now voluntary for cattle, goats and sheep. Health certificate requirements for pigs remain the same.

Importers can use the existing health certificates and national health declarations if they are seeking assurances on the disease status of the nominated diseases.

Importers are recommended to continue to source a health certificate and a national health declaration for store or breeding animals as best-practice for herd management and to meet your General Biosecurity Duty.

Notification of animal welfare status [all]

The TABM previously stipulated importers were to provide a completed copy of the ‘Animal Welfare Guidelines - Transport of Livestock Across Bass Strait Declaration’ form to Biosecurity Tasmania for livestock being shipped across Bass Strait.

This has been expanded now to include ‘Animal Welfare Food and Water Access Statement’, or ‘Transport of Livestock Across Bass Strait Declaration’.

An ‘Animal Welfare Food and Water Access Statement’ must clearly state the time and date of last access to food and water for all consignments of livestock crossing Bass Strait, cross referenced to consignment details.

It may be in the form of:

The ‘Animal Welfare Guidelines - Transport of Livestock Across Bass Strait Declaration’ form.
A signed company transport declaration.
A post-sale summary.

The statement may be supplied in either hard copy or electronic format.

Pregnancy restrictions for shipping [Cattle, pigs and sheep]

Pregnancy cut-offs for cattle, goats, pigs and sheep crossing Bass Strait have been added:

Cattle known to be, or visually assessed to be, more than 37 weeks pregnant must not be transported across Bass Strait.
Pigs known to be, or visually assessed to be, more than 14 weeks pregnant must not be transported across Bass Strait.
Sheep known to be, or visually assessed to be, more than 19 weeks pregnant must not be transported across Bass Strait.

Other

Explanatory notes about Biosecurity and Animal Health, Animal Welfare, Identification, and Food Safety added for all sections.
3.1.7 Cattle now includes ‘slaughter’ cattle, removing the requirement for cattle other than ‘breeding’ and ‘store’ to have an Individual Permit to enter Tasmania.
3.1.22 Sheep – updated to include sheep travelling to King Island.
3.1.22c Sheep returning to Tasmania

Sheep of Tasmanian origin returning to Tasmania no longer require an Individual Permit for entry.
The ‘Declaration by owner – reimportation of sheep of Tasmanian origin’ form has been removed.

3.3.14 Non-viable fin fish (fish meat)

In this section, material (carcass, or part of a carcass) of any fish species listed in ‘Schedule 1 – Non-viable Fin Fish’ may not be imported unless it is heat-treated and accompanied by certification.

The listing for ‘Sardinops sagax (Pilchard or pacific sardine)’ in Schedule 1 has been updated to ‘Sardinops sagax (Pilchard or pacific sardine) of non-Australian origin’ to allow for Australian-origin sardines to be imported for all uses.

Further information

For further information visit the Biosecurity Tasmania website, call (03) 6165 3777, or email biosecurity.tasmania@nre.tas.gov.au

(13/2/2025)
Categories: Animal welfare; Animals (general); Information for Bass Strait Islands; Livestock; Policy and Legislation;

Biosecurity Advisory 3/2025 - New Livestock Traceabilty Regulations and Requirements

New Biosecurity Livestock Traceability Regulations
New Biosecurity (Livestock Traceability) Regulations 2024 (the Regulations) developed by Biosecurity Tasmania (BT) were gazetted on 11 December 2024.

The Regulations are supported by a set of new Tasmanian Standards for the Identification of Cattle, Sheep, Goats and Pigs that are published on the Department of Natural Resources and Environment website. The Standards detail the legal requirements for the correct identification of livestock, including the use of National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) devices, brands, and earmarks.

Fact sheets have also been developed to support the Regulations and outline how people can meet their compliance requirements under the new Regulations.

The enactment of the new Regulations will allow for the repeal of the Animal Brands and Movement Act 1984 and General Biosecurity Direction (Livestock Traceability) (03/22).

Biosecurity Tasmania sought feedback from stakeholders on the new Regulations in 2024.

Information about the new Regulations can be found on the Biosecurity (Livestock Traceability) Regulations 2024 webpage.

Updated electronic identification (eID) requirements for sheep, goats and bobby calves

The new Regulations include the need for individual animal identification through modernised eID tagging requirements for:

Sheep and goats born on or after 1 January 2025 that move off property, and
Bobby calves that leave their property of birth to go directly to slaughter at Tasmanian Quality Meats (TQM).

From 1 January 2025, these animals must be fitted with an Electronic Identification Device (eID).

The eIDs are National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) approved tags that contain a microchip which provides a unique electronic identification of an animal.
The elD system:

allows enhanced biosecurity management as individual animals can be traced more accurately and efficiently,
allows us to quickly respond and recover from emergency animal disease outbreaks,
improves consumer confidence in animal products,
strengthens market access, and
enhances herd monitoring and management.

Industry support schemes have been developed to help producers to transition to eID tags for sheep, goats and bobby calves.

Information about eID requirements and support for sheep and goats can be found on the BT Sheep and Goat eID webpage.

Information about eID requirements and support for bobby calves can be found on the BT Bobby Calf eID webpage.

(9/1/2025)
Categories: Animal welfare; Animals (general); Livestock; Policy and Legislation;

Biosecurity Advisory 38/2024 - Tasmanian Biosecurity Awards 2024 - Winners Announced

Champions of Tasmania's biosecurity have been recognised at the second annual Tasmanian Biosecurity Awards, held last week on National Agriculture day.

The awards comprise two categories, the Tasmanian Community Biosecurity Award and the Tasmanian Industry Biosecurity Award, and recognise those who have made a significant contribution to maintaining and improving biosecurity systems in Tasmania.

The recipient of the 2024 Community Biosecurity Award is Bettina Elischer, an employee at the Office of the Governor at Government House Tasmania, for her outstanding contribution to the Tasmanian beekeeping community and the Biosecurity Tasmania statewide bee pest surveillance program.

Bees were reintroduced at the Government House Tasmania Estate in 2015 and have been managed since then to improve horticultural pollination onsite. One hive is also used as a 'sentinel' hive for Biosecurity Tasmania surveillance activities. Bettina has also promoted the importance of biosecurity in beekeeping through educational workshops and bee pest training days.

Just Cats Inc. were also recognised for their community education about stray and feral cats, and the success of multiple initiatives aimed at reducing the impact of stray cats and promoting responsible cat ownership.

TasPorts were the winners of the Industry Biosecurity Award for the work by their Environment and Sustainability Team to increase awareness and knowledge of biosecurity threats at their ports. TasPorts has developed educational and reference material tailored to each port, workshopped biosecurity threats and reporting pathways with operational staff, and conducted follow-up inspections and verifications to ensure compliance.

More information about the annual Tasmanian Biosecurity Awards is available at www.nre.tas.gov.au/tasbiosecurityawards

(22/11/2024)
Categories: 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;

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