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.

288 advisories found for Plant+pests.

Biosecurity Advisory 20/2025 - Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) - National Move to Management

Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) was first detected in South Australia (SA) in August 2024, and subsequently in Victoria in January 2025. Eradication efforts have been underway in SA and Victoria under a nationally agreed and cost shared response plan developed under the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed. On 29 May 2025, the National Management Group (NMG) agreed, based on the advice of the Consultative Committee on Emergency Plant Pests (CCEPP), that it was no longer technically feasible to eradicate ToBRFV from Australia.

This decision was based on a range of factors, including:

evidence of repeated introductions of ToBRFV via the seed pathway
challenges to find all sites where it may be present in Australia, and
challenges in detecting the virus at the low levels of infection or in very young plants.

The eradication response is now moving to an interim planning phase to allow industry and government parties to work together to determine the best course of action. During this interim phase, biosecurity restrictions will remain on the infected properties in SA and Victoria, but there will be no mandated destruction of host material.

ToBRFV has not been detected in Tasmania and a General Biosecurity Direction (Emergency) for ToBRFV remains in place to minimise the risk of the plant disease entering Tasmania.

Biosecurity Tasmania will consult and work closely with Tasmanian industry and other jurisdictions to help prevent the virus from entering Tasmania.

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

(4/6/2025)
Categories: Cropping; Horticulture; Plant diseases; Plant pests; Policy and Legislation; Seeds;

Biosecurity Advisory 19/2025 - Public Release of Plant Biosecurity Import Risk Analysis for Import Requirement 10 Grape Phylloxera - Hosts and Vectors

Following public consultation in October 2024, Biosecurity Tasmania has released the Second Edition of the Import Risk Analysis (IRA), Grape Phylloxera – Hosts and Vectors. As a result of the IRA there will be updates to Import Requirement (IR) 10 in the 2025 edition of the Plant Biosecurity Manual Tasmania (the Manual). IR10 regulates the import of grape phylloxera, hosts and vectors into Tasmania, under the Biosecurity Act 2019.

When assessing the pest risks that may be 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 to identify those pests whose unrestricted risk estimate (URE) may exceed Tasmania’s Appropriate Level of Protection (ALOP) of ‘very low’ risk for traded biosecurity matter. 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 Grape Phylloxera
The IRA for IR10 Grape Phylloxera – Hosts and Vectors, reviewed a very serious threat to the Tasmanian viticulture industry. The purpose of this exercise was to review the existing IRA considering any new information on grape phylloxera biology and its management practices that could lead to changes in the existing import requirement. The review commenced in June 2022; a draft version was released for public consultation in October 2024.

The revised pest risk assessment found an unrestricted risk estimate of ‘moderate’ to ‘high’ for all vectors of grape phylloxera (excluding tissue culture) which exceeds Tasmania’s Appropriate Level of Protection (ALOP) of ‘very low’. Therefore, phytosanitary measures continue to be required to prevent grape phylloxera entry, establishment and spread in Tasmania. As a result, recommendations were made to update IR10 to ensure Tasmania is appropriately protected from grape phylloxera without being unnecessarily trade restrictive. The recommendations update IR10 and include additional vectors not addressed by the previous IRA.

Where can you find a copy of the report?
Downloadable copies of the IRA can be found on the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania website at: Finalised Import Risk Analyses | Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania

(29/5/2025)
Categories: Cropping; Horticulture; Invasive Species; Plant pests; Plant diseases; Policy and Legislation;

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 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;

Biosecurity Advisory 12/2025 - Update on the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Response

Biosecurity Tasmania is continuing the response to the detection of Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB; Halyomorpha halys) in Bell Bay.

BMSB was initially detected in a border surveillance trap and identified as BMSB on 13 February 2025. At that time, Biosecurity Tasmania immediately stood up and Incident Management Team (IMT) to manage and coordinate the response to this BMSB detection and commenced response activities in line with national arrangements.

An additional 14 surveillance traps were deployed, and Biosecurity Officers increased their surveillance regime. This increased surveillance will remain in place for at least 12 weeks from the initial detection.

During this period of increased 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 is not unexpected given the increased surveillance activities underway. A further 4 traps will be implemented in response to the second detection, and treatment options are being considered by the Department where appropriate.

Trapping and surveillance operations will continue at an increased rate for the remainder of the 12-week period.

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.

(17/3/2025)
Categories: Animals (general); 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 10/2025 – Update on Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Detection in Tasmania

Biosecurity Tasmania continues its response to the detection of a single brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB; Halyomorpha halys) in a border surveillance trap at Bell Bay.

Following identification of the specimen as BMSB on 13 February 2025, Biosecurity Tasmania immediately stood up an Incident Management Team (IMT) to manage and coordinate the response to the detection. The IMT immediately commenced response activities in line with national arrangements.

An additional 14 traps were deployed around the initial detection site, and over the last fortnight Biosecurity Officers have been conducting increased surveillance of both the additional traps and the surrounding bush and scrub.

No further BMSB specimens have been found.

Surveillance and response activities will continue for a further 10 weeks. Further updates will be provided as necessary.

BMSB is an exotic pest found overseas in parts of Asia, North America and Europe, and is a significant threat to agriculture due to its wide host range and the damage it can do to vegetable crops and fruit and ornamental trees. It is known to feed on more than 300 hosts, including agricultural crops such as nuts, grains, berries, cotton, citrus, soybean, nursery stock and some ornamental and weed plant species, and when feeding causes significant damage to plant tissues.

If you think you have seen BMSB in your crop or backyard, phone the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881.

More information is available online at www.nre.tas.gov.au/biosecurity-tasmania/current-biosecurity-alerts

(28/2/2025)
Categories: Animals (general); Cropping; Gene technology; Horticulture; Information for Bass Strait Islands; Invasive Species; Natural environment; Pasture; Plant diseases; Plant pests; Policy and Legislation; Seeds; Timber imports; Wildlife;

Biosecurity Advisory 7/2025 - Brown marmorated stinkbug detected in trap

Biosecurity Tasmania is responding to the detection of a single female brown marmorated stinkbug (BMSB) in a border surveillance trap at Bell Bay. The sample was sent to Biosecurity Tasmania Plant Diagnostic staff for diagnostic testing and was later confirmed as BMSB via molecular identification.

The collected sample was a single female specimen and does not represent an outbreak of BMSB in Tasmania. Biosecurity Tasmania (BT) maintains BSMB traps at ports of entry across the state under the National Plant Health Surveillance Program, and this detection occurred as part of that routine surveillance.

Following this single detection, additional BMSB traps have been deployed at Bell Bay and BT has commenced an increased surveillance regime. This will remain in place for at least 12 weeks in line with national response arrangements for circumstances where BMSB is detected post-border. An Incident Management Team (IMT) has been stood up within BT to manage this detection in Tasmania.

Further updates will be provided in the event of subsequent detections of concern.

BMSB is an exotic pest and is found overseas in parts of Asia, North America and Europe. BMSB is a significant threat to agriculture due to its wide host range and the damage it can do to vegetable crops and fruit and ornamental trees. It is known to feed on more than 300 hosts, including agricultural crops such as nuts, grains, berries, cotton, citrus, soybean, nursery stock and some ornamental and weed plant species, and when feeding causes significant damage to plant tissues.

If you think you have seen BMSB in your crop or backyard, phone the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881.

More information is available online at www.nre.tas.gov.au/biosecurity-tasmania/current-biosecurity-alerts

(17/2/2025)
Categories: Animals (general); Cropping; Gene technology; Horticulture; Information for Bass Strait Islands; Invasive Species; Natural environment; Pasture; Plant diseases; Plant pests; Policy and Legislation; Seeds; Timber imports; Wildlife;

Biosecurity Advisory 4/2025 - Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV) Detected in Victoria

Agriculture Victoria is responding to a detection of Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV) at a tomato glasshouse facility in Victoria in seedlings recently moved from South Australia (SA), where there is a current outbreak.

Agriculture Victoria has implemented quarantine controls at the property and is working closely with the business to ensure the virus does not spread and can be eradicated.

ToBRFV is a highly contagious plant virus that affects tomatoes, capsicums and chillies. The virus is a serious threat to Australia’s tomato, capsicum and chilli industries.

The virus spreads easily through contaminated tools, hands, clothing and direct plant to plant contact including grafting and cuttings. It can also be transmitted in seeds and irrigation water.

The virus can remain viable in seed, plant waste and contaminated soil for months and once a crop is infected, the only way to eradicate the virus is by destroying all infected plants and decontaminating all contact materials including glasshouse surfaces.

There is no risk to food safety or human health from eating tomatoes with this virus.

ToBRFV was detected in SA in August 2024 and is known to be present on three properties in that state.

An emergency biosecurity direction from Tasmania’s Chief Plant Protection Officer to prevent the movement of ToBRFV host plants or plant materials from areas known to be infected with the virus into Tasmania remains in place: www.nre.tas.gov.au/biosecurity-tasmania/the-tasmanian-biosecurity-compendium/general-biosecurity-directions

What can I do?

Biosecurity Tasmania encourages growers, importers and home gardeners to monitor their tomato, capsicum and chilli plants and fruit for signs of the disease.

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.

Report any suspect findings to Biosecurity Tasmania

Secure the affected plants if possible,
Take some photos of the suspected symptoms if you can, and
Contact 03 6165 3777 or email Biosecurity.Tasmania@nre.tas.gov.au

For further information about the detections in South Australia and Victoria visit www.outbreak.gov.au/current-outbreaks/tomato-brown-rugose-fruit-virus

(20/1/2025)
Categories: Cropping; Horticulture; Plant diseases; Plant pests; Policy and Legislation; Seeds;

Biosecurity Advisory 2/2025 - Emergency General Biosecurity Direction for European Honey Bees and Associated Products - Renewal January 2025

Due to the presence of varroa mite (Varroa destructor) in New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria, the Tasmanian Chief Plant Protection Officer has put in place an extension to the General Biosecurity Direction (Emergency), to prevent the introduction of this honey bee parasite into Tasmania.

This Direction takes effect as of 12.01am on Tuesday 7 January 2025 and remains in effect for six (6) months, unless it is revoked earlier. It prohibits the import into Tasmania of any:

European honey bee (Apis mellifera); or
Any animal product produced by, or from, a European honey bee other than commercially produced bee products such as honey filtered to a maximum 2 mm pore size and melted refined beeswax, or another process approved by the Chief Plant Protection Officer; or
Any used beekeeping equipment; or
Any other thing that may reasonably be suspected of being a carrier of bees, or any pest or disease that may affect bees.

While this General Biosecurity Direction (Emergency) remains in place, producers will need to continue sourcing queen bees from within Tasmania. A copy of the General Biosecurity Direction (Emergency) is available at https://nre.tas.gov.au/biosecurity-tasmania/animal-biosecurity/bees/rules-for-moving-bees-apiary-products-and-used-apiary-equipment

Biosecurity Tasmania is currently completing a varroa mite Import Risk Analysis (IRA). The outcomes of this work will inform the development of future phytosanitary measures related to varroa mite, which will be captured in the Plant Biosecurity Manual Tasmania in late 2025. More information about the IRA methodology can be found at https://nre.tas.gov.au/biosecurity-tasmania/plant-biosecurity/biosecurity-tasmania-import-risk-analysis-assessment-processes

More information about varroa mite can be found on the NRE Tas website at https://nre.tas.gov.au/varroa

(7/1/2025)
Categories: Cropping; Horticulture; Plant pests; Policy and Legislation;

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