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.

348 advisories found for Natural+environment.

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 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;

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 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 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 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;

Biosecurity Advisory 13/2025 - Upcoming Forest and Tree Biosecurity Workshops

The Tasmanian Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania and Plant Health Australia will hold a free forest and tree biosecurity workshop,

3 April 2025 10.00am - 3.00pm at;

C3 Convention Centre, 64 Anglesea Rd, South Hobart

The workshops aim is to raise awareness and enable the early detection of exotic pests posing biosecurity risks to trees in our urban, natural, and commercial environments.

The workshop will be of particular interest to those working in the field with trees, those undertaking tree health assessments and/or plant pest trapping and treatments, and those interested in collecting records and data on tree health in relation to their area of work. The focus will be on biosecurity pests of concern.

The workshop will cover:

The importance of biosecurity
Signs and symptoms– what do we mean by dieback, cankers or frass and what do they look like?
Information about key pest threats - What do they look like? What should you look for?
Introduction to MyPestGuide™ Trees and MyPestGuide™ Reporter App
How to report suspect exotic pests

Please RSVP by completing the following form: https://forms.office.com/r/UN0x9DdLba

RSVPs are due by 27 March 2025.

If this workshop might be of value to others in your workplace/area of work, please forward this invitation.

If you have further enquiries, please contact us.

Veronica Hayes - Surveillance Coordinator (Plant Biosecurity)
0448 366 101 or veronica.hayes@nre.tas.gov.au

Rohan Burgess – (Surveillance Manager)
(02) 6215 7700 or RBurgess@phau.com.au

(17/3/2025)
Categories: Horticulture; Cropping; Invasive Species; Natural environment; Plant diseases; Plant pests;

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