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.

279 advisories found for Plant+diseases.

Biosecurity Advisory 04/2026 - Changes to some Biosecurity Tasmania fees from 1 July 2026

Biosecurity Tasmania (BT) is making changes to some fees from 1 July 2026.

When will the new fees take effect?

Any updated fees will apply from 1 July 2026.

What do the fee increases look like?

This is the first significant update we have made to our fees for many years.

We are staging the updates over a three-year period. This will ensure that everyone has time to adjust and will help support industry with the changes. All fees are still subject to legislated annual increases for inflation.

Audit and assessment services

Fee¹	Current	2026-27	2027-28	2028-29
Ovine brucellois administration fee²	$100	$138	$178	$222
Audit of Registration Quarantine Place (RQP)³	$130	$157	$188	$222

Authorised Officer (AO) functions

Fee¹	Current	2026-27	2027-28	2028-29
Biosecurity examination³	$130	$136	$145	$155
Animal import (air)³	$130	$136	$145	$155
Animal import (sea)³	$130	$136	$145	$155
Export examination³	$92	$110	$131	$155
Honey certification³	$103	$117	$135	$155
Document inspection³	$130	$136	$145	$155
AO functions Saturday / Overtime³	$195	$204	$218	$232
AO functions Sunday³	$260	$271	$289	$309

Professional services

Fee¹	Current	2026-27	2027-28	2028-29
Professional services³	$157	$215	$277	$344

Property of origin

Fee¹	Current	2026-27	2027-28	2028-29
Property of origin²	$160	$165	$174	$184

Registration of Registered Quarantine Place (RQP)

Fee¹	Current	2026-27	2027-28	2028-29
Registration of RQP²	$230	$242	$256	$271

Notes:

1. All fees are subject to legislated annual increases for inflation.

2. Fixed fee, per application.

3. Hourly rate - charged in 15 min increments.

Why are the fees changing now?

In 2023, we began a project to review the costs of delivering our services. It showed that our existing fee structure has not allowed us to keep pace with increasing costs and biosecurity risks. As a result, we are updating our fees to enable us to continue to help protect Tasmania’s values, assets and trade.

How were the new fees calculated?

The Biosecurity Act 2019 (BA2019) and Tasmanian Treasury guidelines allow us to use a 'full' cost recovery model. However, we recognise that all Tasmanians contribute to maintaining our world-class biosecurity system.

The new fee structure uses a 'partial' cost recovery model, calculated on 59% of actual costs. We are choosing to waive the remaining 41% as a 'public good' subsidy. The subsidy will apply to all updated fees and acknowledges the benefits that biosecurity delivers to our state ('public good').

What was the approval process for the new fees?

The Secretary (Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania) approved the fee updates, and the Minster for Primary Industries and Water supported them. The process met the requirements of the BA2019.

How will the fees be used?

We all value having vibrant, productive and healthy industries and communities. That's why we'll be investing the revenue from the new fees back into biosecurity programs to benefit our state.

Why are these fee changes important?

Invasive pests, weeds and diseases can harm our industries, communities and environment. The risks to Tasmania are increasing, in part due to changes in the climate and how people and freight are moving. Protecting the things we value means continuing to adapt our world-class biosecurity system.

That’s why having a strong biosecurity system is important. We know that protecting Tasmania from pests, weeds and diseases is worth it.

Who can I contact if I have questions?

If you have any questions about the updated fees and charges, you can contact Biosecurity.Tasmania@nre.tas.gov.au

(5/3/2026)
Categories: Animals (general); Cropping; Horticulture; Livestock; Pasture; Plant diseases; Plant pests; Policy and Legislation; Seeds; Timber imports;

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 1/2026 - New requirements for tomato potato psyllid hosts and carriers

Biosecurity Tasmania reminds businesses intending to import hosts or carriers of tomato potato psyllid (TPP) that they must comply with the latest version of Import Requirement 46 (IR46) for Potential Hosts or Carriers of Tomato Potato Psyllid. This includes providing the required evidence of appropriate treatment for all consignments.

It is critical that importers of TPP material engage with agents, wholesalers and/or distributors of fresh produce to ensure compliance with IR46 import requirements. Consignments not meeting the requirements may be elected for re-export or destruction at the business’ expense.

The revised IR46 has been established through the issuance of a Group Permit and is available on our website www.nre.tas.gov.au/biosecurity-tasmania/the-tasmanian-biosecurity-compendium/group-permits

It is important to note this Group Permit overrides 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.

To support clarity regarding commodities that are considered hosts and carriers of TPP, Biosecurity Tasmania has published a list that business can refer to in conjunction with the Group Permit. This list is available at www.nre.tas.gov.au/biosecurity-tasmania/plant-biosecurity/pests-and-diseases/tomato-potato-psyllid

The Pest:
Tomato potato psyllid (Bactericera cockerelli; TPP) is a tiny sap-sucking insect that attacks a range of plants from the Solanaceae and Convolvulaceae families including potato, tomato, eggplant, capsicum, chilli, tamarillo and sweet potato. Its feeding activity causes plant stunting, leaf curling, and yellowing.

TPP is also a vector for the exotic disease Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum (CLso). CLso causes zebra chip disease in potatoes, and the bacterium is currently exotic to Australia.

Pest distribution
TPP was first found in Western Australia in 2017 where it’s now established. In 2024 there was a detection in a glasshouse on Victoria’s Bellarine Peninsula. In October 2025 the psyllid was found in a Melbourne resident’s backyard, and on 8 December 2025 Victoria formally revoked their area freedom for TPP.

Agriculture Victoria is working with the horticultural industry in Victoria to rapidly implement accreditation arrangements, to provide confidence in product movements to Tasmania being free of TPP.

Who can I contact?
If you need assistance interpreting or implementing the changes required in the Group Permit for IR46, you can contact us at biosecurity.marketaccess@nre.tas.gov.au or by calling 1300 368 550.
For further information regarding certification accreditation arrangements and processes in each state, please refer to the relevant department’s websites.

Agriculture Victoria

Western Australia Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development

(14/1/2026)
Categories: Cropping; Horticulture; Plant diseases; Plant pests; Policy and Legislation;

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 33/2025 - Development of the Primary Produce Safety (Horticulture Produce) Regulations 2025

In Tasmania, Primary Produce Safety Regulations are enforced to manage potential risks to human health associated with foodborne illness during production of primary produce. The products that are currently regulated are meat and poultry, some seafood, eggs and petfood.

Until recently, seed sprouts were the only regulated horticultural commodity. However, since February 2025, new national Primary Production and Processing (PPP) Standards were introduced for berries, leafy vegetables and melons. More information on the development of the Standards can be found in the Proposal P1052 - PPP Requirements for Horticulture (Berries, Leafy Vegetables and Melons) | Food Standards Australia New Zealand

To implement these standards in Tasmania, new regulations are required. Draft Primary Produce Safety (Horticulture Produce) Regulations 2025 have been developed under the Primary Produce Safety Act 2011 to:

adopt the PPP Standards in Tasmania
establish food safety schemes for berries, leafy vegetables, melons and seed sprouts
provide compliance requirements (accreditation, food safety programs, audits)
stipulate fees and penalties

Public consultation is now open on these draft regulations and will close at 5 pm on 5 December 2025.
You can access the consultation draft and make a submission at Development of the Primary Produce Safety (Horticulture Produce) Regulations.
For more information, please contact:
Email: product.integrity@nre.tas.gov.au
Mail: Product Integrity Branch, NRE Tas, PO Box 46, King Meadows TAS 7249

(30/10/2025)
Categories: Cropping; Policy and Legislation; Plant diseases; Horticulture; Plant pests; Seeds;

Biosecurity Advisory 32/2025 - Potato Mop-top Virus Response Winding Down

Biosecurity Tasmania’s response to the detection of potato mop top virus (PMTV) is winding down as management in Tasmania moves to an industry led approach.

Since July 2025, Biosecurity Tasmania and the state’s potato industry have been actively responding to a detection of PMTV in Tasmania.

PMTV was first detected in potatoes harvested from Northwest Tasmania in July 2025. Over the following months, further detections were made across sites in the north and south of the state.

On 19 September 2025 the National Management Group, formed under the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed, agreed that PMTV was not technically feasible to eradicate from Australia.

Some of the acknowledged challenges for successful eradication included:

the widespread presence of powdery scab, the vector of the virus.
difficulty detecting all infected areas; and
the virus's ability to persist undetected in soil in the presence of powdery scab.

To the best of our knowledge, PMTV has not been eradicated anywhere it has been detected globally.

Once the response winds down, PMTV will become a pest to be managed through the potato production process.

Based on the experience of other countries such as New Zealand, it is anticipated that impacts to the potato industry will be minimal if the below steps are taken:

Establishing reasonable crop rotations.
Following good biosecurity hygiene practices.
Taking steps to manage the virus vector, powdery scab; and
Considering potato varieties which are more resilient to the virus.

Biosecurity Tasmania will continue to work with the industry to understand how PMTV is best managed in Tasmania, particularly when it comes to market access requirements.

All directions previously placed on premises during the response will be lifted and tracing and surveillance actions will cease.

To support the ongoing management of PMTV, Biosecurity Tasmania will be issuing a General Biosecurity Direction (GBD) detailing measures to slow the spread of the virus in Tasmania. The GBD will provide guidance to growers, contractors and processors on measures such as clean down of vehicles and machinery to reduce the movement of soil and managing powdery scab as appropriate.

The GBD will be available on the NRE website once issued https://nre.tas.gov.au/biosecurity-tasmania/the-tasmanian-biosecurity-compendium/general-biosecurity-directions

The Tasmanian Government has provided $200 000 to the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA) for a research program to help understand long term management of PMTV in Tasmania.

For market access support for businesses, please contact the market access team biosecurity.marketaccess@nre.tas.gov.au

Information about PMTV and preventing further disease spread is available here https://nre.tas.gov.au/biosecurity-tasmania/plant-biosecurity/pests-and-diseases/potato-mop-top-virus

NRE Tas would like to thank the Tasmanian potato industry for their ongoing collaboration during the PMTV response and the Tasmanian community for their understanding during this time.

(22/10/2025)
Categories: Cropping; Horticulture; Plant diseases; Plant pests; Policy and Legislation; Seeds;

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.