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.

308 advisories found for Plant+pests.

Biosecurity Advisory 8/2026 - General Biosecurity Direction for Potato Mop Top Virus

To support the ongoing management of Potato Mop Top Virus (PMTV) in Tasmania, Biosecurity Tasmania will be issuing a General Biosecurity Direction (GBD) detailing measures to slow the spread of the virus in Tasmania.

PMTV can be introduced into new areas in infected seed tubers, waste from infected potato material and through the movement of soil carried on machinery, equipment and boots. PMTV is carried and transmitted by Spongospora subterranea, the soil-borne pathogen that causes powdery scab in potatoes.

The GBD provides guidance to growers, contractors and processors on measures to help slow the spread of PMTV, such as clean down of vehicles and machinery to reduce the movement of soil, and the management of powdery scab.

The GBD will be available on the Biosecurity Tasmania website and come into effect from 12:01 am Friday 20 March 2026 on the General Biosecurity Direction web page.

The GBD will remain in force until 30 June 2027 unless sooner revoked.

About PMTV

PMTV is a plant virus that can affect developing potato plants and may reduce the quality of tuber flesh and crop yields.

There are no food safety or human health risks associated with PMTV or powdery scab and potatoes are safe to consume.

Affected potatoes can display both foliar (leaf) and tuber symptoms of varying severity depending on the sensitivity of the variety and the source of infection. These may include:

distortions to the skin,
deep cracking, and rust-coloured arcs, streaks or flecks in the tuber flesh, or
yellow colouration on the leaves.

PMTV may remain viable in powdery scab spores in soil for at least 12 years.

Support and research funding

To help with the long-term management of potato mop-top virus, the Tasmanian Government has provided $200,000 for a PMTV research program which will be delivered across 2025/2026.
This funding will support time-critical research to help farmers manage the PMTV virus and its vector powdery scab. The research will be led collaboratively by the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture and the Tasmanian potato industry.

More information

For more information about PMTV, visit the Biosecurity Tasmania website: nre.tas.gov.au/PMTV

For more information or assistance following this GBD please contact biosecurity.tasmania@nre.tas.gov.au

(19/3/2026)
Categories: Cropping; Horticulture; Plant diseases; Pasture; Plant pests; Policy and Legislation;

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 34/2025 - Beekeeper Request for Hive Monitoring and Reporting

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

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

What you can do:

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

Why your monitoring matters:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Biosecurity Advisory 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;

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