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.

302 advisories found for Pasture.

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 30/2025 – National Management Group releases decision on potato mop-top virus response in Tasmania

Tasmania is responding to the detection of potato mop-top virus (PMTV; Pomovirus solani). PMTV was first detected in Tasmania in July 2025.

On Wednesday 17 September 2025 Biosecurity Tasmania presented its view on feasibility of eradication to the national Consultative Committee on Emergency Plant Pests (CCEPP). The CCEPP presented its recommendation on this matter to the National Management Group (NMG) under the national processes detailed in the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed.

On Friday 19 September 2025 the NMG accepted the CCEPP advice that PMTV is not technically feasible to eradicate from Australia.

This decision reflects several key challenges:

Difficulty detecting all infected areas
The virus's ability to persist undetected in soil
Widespread presence of powdery scab (a known vector with long-lived soil-borne spores)
Risk of spread via seed, tubers, and soil movement

Importantly, there are no human health or food safety risks associated with PMTV or powdery scab and potatoes remain safe to eat.

Globally, PMTV occurs in many countries around the world. Experience shows that it can be successfully managed.

Industry-wide implementation of good biosecurity practices and management of powdery scab are the keys to minimising further spread and reducing impacts of PMTV in Tasmania.

The simplest first step is to “come clean, go clean" by removing soil and plant material from machinery, equipment, and boots before leaving one property and entering another.

Fresh and processing potatoes may still be exported to the mainland as long as they meet the import requirements specified by the relevant jurisdictions. There are no specified requirements for processed products such as chips.

While the NMG's decision means that an eradication strategy for PMTV will no longer be pursued, Biosecurity Tasmania will continue to:

Undertake a level of tracing and testing to support industry needs and help us understand more about the virus,
Work with impacted properties to understand their business needs and how production may continue while minimising the risk of spread of PMTV both within and from the property, and
Collaborate with the potato industry to work toward re-establishment of seed potato exports.

Report potential signs of the disease in potatoes or potato plants - contact Biosecurity.Tasmania@nre.tas.gov.au immediately, or call 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

(22/9/2025)
Categories: Cropping; Horticulture; Pasture; Plant diseases; Plant pests; Policy and Legislation; Seeds;

Biosecurity Advisory 29/2025 - Notification of additional potato mop-top virus (PMTV) detection

Tasmania is responding to the detection of potato mop-top virus (PMTV; Pomovirus solani).

Biosecurity Tasmania is undertaking testing and tracing activities in collaboration with the potato industry. 

Testing by Biosecurity Tasmania’s Plant Diagnostic Services has confirmed a new detection in a harvested seed potato line currently in cool storage, bringing the total number of known affected sites to nine (9):

Seven (7) grower sites from which harvested potatoes (currently in storage) have been tested and PMTV detected, and 
Two (2) other sites where PMTV has been detected in potatoes, including a small research site in the south and a storage site in the north.

The new seed line has been traced to the south of the state, making it the first grower site to be affected in that region.

PMTV has also been detected in samples from three single potatoes. One potato was found at a processing site, and two were bought as fresh produce from retail stores. Links to known infected sites continue to be investigated. 

Biosecurity Tasmania works with impacted properties to understand their business and production needs while minimising the risk of spread of PMTV both within and from the property.

All sites identified as Infected Premises are issued a Biosecurity Direction under the Biosecurity Act 2019, restricting the movement of potato material, machinery and equipment, and soil to minimise the risk of spread of the virus.

Early traceback activities indicate that the virus may have been present in Tasmania for at least two years. All potato growers need to remain vigilant for any signs of disease in potato plants and potato stock.

If you do see any potential signs of the disease in potatoes or potato plants, please contact Biosecurity.Tasmania@nre.tas.gov.au immediately, or to call 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

(19/9/2025)
Categories: Cropping; Horticulture; Pasture; Plant diseases; Plant pests; Policy and Legislation; Seeds;

Biosecurity Advisory 28/2025 - Potato mop-top virus response update

Tasmania is responding to the detection of potato mop-top virus (PMTV; Pomovirus solani).

Biosecurity Tasmania has been collaborating with industry to support testing of Tasmanian certified seed potato lines prior to planting. This testing program was completed as a high priority to:

Provide data on the presence of PMTV across seed lines,
Enable industry to make decisions about the 2025/26 growing season, and
Inform the future direction of the response.

All generation 2-5 certified seed potato lines have now been tested for PMTV. The bulk of this testing was achieved through a third-party provider of potato diagnostic services, with a smaller number of seed lines tested by the Biosecurity Tasmania laboratory.

PMTV was detected in only a relatively minor proportion of the significant volume of certified seed tested. For the remaining lines, it is important to understand that a result of ‘not detected’ may mean either that virus is not present, or that it is present but below detectable levels with the sampling and diagnostic tools applied.

Even so, the results provide information for the industry to act on for this planting season.

It is expected that the industry will be able to plant only seed lines in which PMTV has not been detected. Biosecurity Tasmania will continue to work with industry members to identify the best option for disposal of seed lines identified as infected. It will also continue to conduct tracing of any detections of PMTV and establish controls on material that may contribute to the spread of PMTV.

Tasmanian potatoes are safe to eat and continue to be recognised as a great, healthy, delicious product produced by our strong and vibrant local industry.

Feasibility of eradication of PMTV from Tasmania

The position of the Biosecurity Tasmania is that PMTV cannot be eradicated. This position is acknowledged and supported by Tasmania's Chief Plant Protection Officer, industry peak bodies and key Tasmanian industry stakeholders. This view has been informed by the following:

The widespread presence of powdery scab, the vector of the virus.
The ability of the virus to survive undetected within powdery scab spores for many years in the soil.
There is no control method known to effectively eliminate powdery scab.
The virus may present asymptomatically in tubers and plants.
It is not known how PMTV entered Australia, and it is unlikely that this can be confidently determined. This means reinfection is possible even if an attempt at eradication were made.

Biosecurity Tasmania presented its view on feasibility of eradication to the national Consultative Committee on Emergency Plant Pests (CCEPP) on 17 September 2025. The CCEPP will present its recommendation on this matter to the National Management Group (NMG) through the national processes under the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed. The decision of the NMG is anticipated shortly.

What industry can do

Globally, PMTV occurs in many countries around the world and experience shows that it can be successfully managed.

Industry-wide implementation of good biosecurity practices and management of powdery scab are the keys to minimising further spread and impact of PMTV in Tasmania.

Contractors, including planting, harvesting and carting services, utilities providers, agronomists and field officers, must support Tasmanian primary producers by making biosecurity a routine part of their day-to-day business practices.

The simplest first step is to follow a “come clean, go clean” approach by removing soil and plant material from machinery, equipment, and boots before leaving one property and entering another.

Biosecurity Tasmania will continue to collaborate with the potato industry to work toward re-establishment of seed potato exports.

What Biosecurity Tasmania is doing

Biosecurity Tasmania will continue to

Undertake a level of tracing and testing to support industry needs and help us understand more about the virus,
Work with impacted properties to understand their business needs and how production may continue while minimising the risk of spread of PMTV both within and from the property, and
Collaborate with the potato industry to work toward re-establishment of seed potato exports.

Report potential signs of the disease in potatoes or potato plants - contact Biosecurity.Tasmania@nre.tas.gov.au immediately, or to call 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

(19/9/2025)
Categories: Cropping; Horticulture; Pasture; Plant diseases; Plant pests; Policy and Legislation; Seeds;

Biosecurity Advisory 27/2025 - Potato mop-top virus investigation continues

Biosecurity Tasmania is continuing to respond to the detection of potato mop-top virus in Tasmania (PMTV). An Incident Management Team has been established to manage the response.

There are no food safety or human health risks associated with the virus, and all Tasmanian potatoes are safe to consume.

Biosecurity Tasmania has been undertaking tracing activities in collaboration with the potato industry. Early surveillance efforts have focused on sampling and testing seed potatoes currently in storage.

This week, three new potato samples have tested positive for PMTV. All samples were from single potatoes. One potato was found at a processing site, and two were bought as fresh produce from a retail stores. Links to any known infected sites have not yet been confirmed.

The Incident Management Team is tracing these samples to find their source, however this process is complex because of where and how they were found.

We would like to thank industry and community members for continuing to look out for signs of PMTV. If you do see any potential signs of the disease in potatoes or potato plants, please contact Biosecurity.Tasmania@nre.tas.gov.au immediately, or to call the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881.

For the most up to date information on the response, head to www.nre.tas.gov.au/pmtv

(12/9/2025)
Categories: Cropping; Horticulture; Pasture; Plant diseases; Plant pests; Policy and Legislation; Seeds;

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 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;

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