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Tasmanian Biosecurity Advisories

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.


259 advisories found for Policy+and+Legislation.
 
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Biosecurity Advisory 48/2023 - Permit applications for the small hive beetle response during the holiday period

​A reminder for all beekeepers that movement restrictions remain in place within the 1.5km East Devonport Bee Movement Restriction Area (BMRA) as part of the ongoing small hive beetle response. Beekeepers must not move bees, beehives, captured swarms, nucleus colonies, or used beekeeping equipment in, out or within the BMRA.  

 
Although beekeepers within the BMRA can now open their hives for management and the collection of honey, honeycomb or wax, permits are still required for the following activities.

• Movement of bees, captured swarms or nucleus colonies in, out or within the BMRA.  
• Movement of beehives or used beekeeping equipment in, out or within the BMRA.
• The capture of swarms within the BMRA

Please note that while the small hive beetle response will continue over the holiday period, the response will have reduced staff capacity between 22 December 2023 and 2 January 2024. This may result in a delay in processing of permit applications received during this time. Please keep this in mind and contact Biosecurity Tasmania on (03) 6165 3777 as soon as possible if you need to apply for a permit during this period.

Please find attached the most recent small hive beetle information sheet for beekeepers. For more information on small hive beetle, please visit www.nre.tas.gov.au/SHB​ or call 6165 3777. ​

Biosecurity Tasmania sincerely thanks the beekeeping community for their support during the ongoing small hive beetle response and wishes you all a very happy holiday season.


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(11/12/2023)
Categories: Cropping; Horticulture; Invasive Species; Livestock; Natural environment; Plant diseases; Plant pests; Policy and Legislation; Timber imports; Wildlife;
Attachment: SHB Info sheet_29 November 2023.pdf

Biosecurity Advisory 47/2023 - 2023 Tasmanian Biosecurity Awards winners announced

​On Wednesday 6 December, Hon Jo Palmer MLC, Minister for Primary Industries and Water announced the winners of the inaugural Tasmanian Biosecurity Awards.

The Tasmanian Biosecurity Awards were developed to honour individuals within industries and communities that have made a significant contribution to the state's biosecurity. There are two categories for the awards, the Tasmanian Community Biosecurity Award and the Tasmanian Industry Biosecurity Award.

Robyn Lewis was the winner of the Tasmanian Community Biosecurity Award for her significant involvement in the management and conservation of the Milford Forest. Robyn has been involved in the management and conservation of the Milford Forest for many years, and has successfully implemented very strong biosecurity measures on the property.

Nic Hansen was the winner of the Tasmanian Industry Biosecurity Award for his avid support of the development and improvement of biosecurity in Tasmania. Nic Hansen has worked closely with Horticulture Australia and the National Fruit Fly Council on biosecurity matters and regulation as well as being involved in the 2018 fruit fly emergency response in Tasmania. 

Other nominees of the awards included forensic biologist and beekeeper Charles Connor, Just Cats Inc. a community-oriented organisation supporting cat and kitten welfare, Bill Oosting who has been in the Tasmanian beekeeping community for over 50 years and Michael Rocca who provides significant support to the Northwest Beekeeping Association while also managing his own apiary.

You can read more about the inaugural Tasmanian Biosecurity Awards and our 2023 award winners at www.nre.tas.gov.au/tasbiosecurityawards. 

(8/12/2023)
Categories: Gene technology; Cropping; Freshwater pests; Horticulture; Invasive Species; Livestock; Marine pests; Natural environment; Pasture; Plant diseases; Plant pests; Policy and Legislation; Seeds; Timber imports; Wildlife;

Biosecurity Advisory 46/2023 – East Devonport Bee Movement Restriction Area reduced to 1.5km

With no new small hive beetle detections, effective from 12:00pm Wednesday 29 November the East Devonport Bee Movement Restriction Area (BMRA) will be further reduced from a radius of 5km to 1.5km from the original detection site.  View the 1.5km BMRA on the Bee Movement Restriction Area interactive map 

If you are in the 1.5km – 5km area, restrictions no longer apply.  Please contact Biosecurity Tasmania on (03) 6165 3777 to arrange for protective tape and traps to be removed from your hives.

Also effective from Wednesday 29 November, Biosecurity Tasmania is lifting the moratorium on the opening of beehives and the harvest of honey and honeycomb within the BMRA. 

If you are in the 1.5km BMRA you can now open your hives for management and the collection of honey, honeycomb or wax. However, any beekeeping equipment and hive components must be sourced from your property as movement restrictions are still in place. Please contact Biosecurity Tasmania on (03) 6165 3777 to arrange for protective tape to be removed from your hives. Biosecurity Tasmania will be conducting two further inspections, one in January and one in March.

Reminder: Movement restrictions remain in place within the BMRA. Beekeepers must not move bees, beehives, captured swarms, nucleus colonies, honey, honeycomb, wax or used beekeeping equipment in, out or within the BMRA. 

The capture of swarms is supported by Biosecurity Tasmania, however if you are within the BMRA some restrictions apply and you must first obtain a permit. This process will allow Biosecurity Tasmania officers to record the location of the swarm and the intended destination and enable officers to inspect the remaining hive for any traces of small hive beetle.

If you are within the 1.5km BMRA and believe you must move your bees, hives or equipment for any reason, or to apply for a permit for the capture of swarms, please call Biosecurity Tasmania on (03) 6165 3777.

It is vital that every beekeeper across the state is registered as registration is one of our most powerful tools to protect against pests and diseases that threaten our bee population. Registration is free and compulsory. For more information or to register, visit www.nre.tas.gov.au/beekeeper-registration

For more information on small hive beetle and to access an information sheet, please visit www.nre.tas.gov.au/SHB​  or call 6165 3777. 
​

(29/11/2023)
Categories: Cropping; Horticulture; Pasture; Natural environment; Plant diseases; Plant pests; Policy and Legislation; Wildlife; Invasive Species;

Biosecurity Advisory 45/2023 – *RE-ISSUED with updated link - BeeTAS is NOW LIVE!

​Biosecurity Tasmania is thrilled to announce that BeeTAS, a new online beekeeper registration portal, is now LIVE. BeeTAS can be accessed at www.nre.tas.gov.au/beekeeper-registration. 

Beekeepers can now log into BeeTAS to:    

  • register or renew their registration
  • maintain their apiary site information 
  • record inspection details, record hive purchases, disposals and hive movements
  • upload training certification and laboratory results

If you have registered as a beekeeper in Tasmania since December 2022, your information will be automatically carried across to the BeeTAS online portal. You will be able to log into BeeTAS using the email you provided when you first registered. If you have not re-registered since December 2022, you can now easily do so with BeeTAS!​​

If you require further assistance with registration, have limited online access or have any other BeeTAS queries, please contact Biosecurity Tasmania at honeybee.biosecurity@nre.tas.gov.au​. ​​

(16/11/2023)
Categories: Cropping; Horticulture; Invasive Species; Natural environment; Pasture; Plant diseases; Plant pests; Policy and Legislation; Wildlife;

Biosecurity Advisory 45/2023 – BeeTAS is NOW LIVE!

​Biosecurity Tasmania is thrilled to announce that BeeTAS, a new online beekeeper registration portal, is now LIVE. BeeTAS can be accessed at biosecurityportal.tas.gov.au/​  

Beekeepers can now log into BeeTAS to:    

  • register or renew their registration
  • maintain their apiary site information 
  • record inspection details, record hive purchases, disposals and hive movements
  • upload training certification and laboratory results

If you have registered as a beekeeper in Tasmania since December 2022, your information will be automatically carried across to the BeeTAS online portal. You will be able to log into BeeTAS using the email you provided when you first registered. If you have not re-registered since December 2022, you can now easily do so with BeeTAS!​​

If you require further assistance with registration, have limited online access or have any other BeeTAS queries, please contact Biosecurity Tasmania at honeybee.biosecurity@nre.tas.gov.au​. ​


(16/11/2023)
Categories: Horticulture; Invasive Species; Natural environment; Pasture; Plant diseases; Plant pests; Cropping; Policy and Legislation; Wildlife;

Biosecurity Advisory 43/2023 - Tasmanian Biosecurity Strategy 2023-2027

​​​Biosecurity Tasmania is excited to announce the release of the Tasmanian Biosecurity Strategy 2023-2027. The strategy has been developed following a round of public consultation in late-2022, with the review process guided by the Biosecurity Advisory Council (as appointed under the Biosecurity Act 2019).

The Tasmanian Biosecurity Strategy is the high-level document that sets the overall direction for biosecurity management in Tasmania by Government, industry and the community. The strategy will help to support a robust and effective Tasmanian biosecurity system where everybody understands, supports, and actions sound biosecurity practices to protect their communities, the environment, and the economy from unwanted pests and diseases.

You can find more information and view the Tasmanian Biosecurity Strategy 2023-2027 at www.nre.tas.gov.au/biosecurity-strategy.

(10/11/2023)
Categories: Cropping; Freshwater pests; Gene technology; Horticulture; Invasive Species; Livestock; Marine pests; Natural environment; Pasture; Plant diseases; Plant pests; Policy and Legislation; Seeds; Timber imports; Wildlife;

Biosecurity Advisory 41/2023 - Small hive beetle restrictions remain in place

​A reminder for all beekeepers that movement restrictions remain in place within the 5km East Devonport Bee Movement Restriction Area (BMRA) as part of the ongoing small hive beetle response.  View the 5km BMRA on the Bee Movement Restriction Area interactive map 
 
If you are in the 5km BMRA and need to open or move your beehives for any reason, please call Biosecurity Tasmania (BT) on 6165 3777.  

BT recognises that swarm season is upon us and supports the capturing of swarms. However, if you are within the 5km BMRA you must first contact BT on (03) 6165 3777 to obtain a free permit.

This process will allow BT officers to record the location of the swarm and the intended destination. In the case of established feral nests, this will also enable BT officers to inspect the remaining comb for any traces of small hive beetle. Traceability plays a key role in a successful response and will be vital if more small hive beetles are found. 

For those not seeking to capture wild swarms, we still ask that you report any swarm or feral colony sightings to BT as soon as possible.

We acknowledge the exceptional level of cooperation from beekeepers, industry and the community during this emergency response and we thank you for your continued support.  

For more information on small hive beetle, please visit www.nre.tas.gov.au/SHB​ or call 6165 3777. 

​

(3/11/2023)
Categories: Horticulture; Invasive Species; Livestock; Natural environment; Plant diseases; Plant pests; Policy and Legislation;

Biosecurity Advisory 40/2023 – Wildlife importation submissions for public comment

​The Environment business unit of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania (NRE Tas) has received submissions for the importation of two new species into Tasmania. These species are the Sri Lankan Leopard, Panthera pardus kotiy and the White-bellied caique, Pioites leucogaster.

A risk assessment for each species has been undertaken by NRE Tas, and public comment is invited before 20 October 2023.

Details of the species profiles and risk assessments is available for viewing on the NRE Tas website​.​

(18/10/2023)
Categories: Cropping; Freshwater pests; Gene technology; Horticulture; Invasive Species; Livestock; Marine pests; Natural environment; Pasture; Plant diseases; Plant pests; Policy and Legislation; Seeds; Timber imports; Wildlife;

Biosecurity Advisory 39/2023 - Fruit fly high risk season

​Spring and summer are the peak seasons for fruit fly activity on mainland Australia and is hence a time of increased risk for Tasmania.  With that in mind, Biosecurity Tasmania is asking all Tasmanians to be on the lookout for anything strange they may find in fruit.

Biosecurity Tasmania has strict controls and ongoing statewide surveillance in place, all aimed at reducing the risk of fruit fly getting into Tasmania.

Tell-tale signs of fruit fly to look out for include live larvae or eggs in the flesh of the fruit or small puncture marks on the skin of the fruit.  Fruit fly larvae look similar to blowfly maggots and could 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.

Good biosecurity is a shared responsibility. Biosecurity Tasmania works closely with mainland states to help manage the fruit fly risk and over the spring and summer months there are increased inspections of imported fruit fly host produce at the border.  However, while the risk to Tasmania can be lowered with pre-border and border measures, it can never be reduced to 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 and place it in the refrigerator and contact Biosecurity Tasmania on 03 6165 3777. Please DO NOT dispose of any fruit that has larvae in it.

More information on fruit fly is at www.nre.tas.gov.au/fruitfly

(12/10/2023)
Categories: Cropping; Horticulture; Invasive Species; Plant diseases; Plant pests; Policy and Legislation;

Biosecurity Advisory 38/2023 - New South Wales entering transition to management for varroa mite

​​​The National Management Group (NMG) confirmed on 19 September 2023 that eradication of Varroa destructor (varroa mite) in New South Wales (NSW) is no longer feasible based on technical grounds. As a result, NSW will begin a transition to management phase for varroa mite.

Tasmania continues to remain free of varroa mite. 

Since the start of the NSW response, Biosecurity Tasmania has maintained an extensive surveillance system aimed at reducing the risk of varroa mite entering Tasmania and to provide early detection of exotic pests. This includes restrictions on the import of bees, apiary products and used apiary equipment, significant border inspection and surveillance activity including increased surveillance of vessels from NSW, increased general port surveillance for bee swarms, and increased passenger awareness. These actions have been maintained throughout the response in NSW and will continue to be maintained into the future. 

Risk assessments for varroa mite are ongoing due to the evolving situation in NSW to ensure varroa entry risks are effectively managed. 

Tasmanian beekeepers are encouraged to remain vigilant by closely monitoring their colonies for symptoms and signs of varroa mite. 

It is also vital that every beekeeper across Tasmania is registered, as registration is one of our most powerful tools to protect against pests and diseases that threaten our bee population. 

Registration is compulsory and is free of charge. For more information or to register, visit www.nre.tas.gov.au/beekeeper-registration

You can find more information on varroa mite including the online hive surveillance reporting form at www.nre.tas.gov.au/biosecurity-tasmania/animal-biosecurity/bees/varroa-mite or on the NSW webpage at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/emergencies/biosecurity/current-situation/varroa-mite-emergency-response

(20/9/2023)
Categories: Cropping; Freshwater pests; Gene technology; Horticulture; Invasive Species; Livestock; Marine pests; Natural environment; Pasture; Plant diseases; Plant pests; Policy and Legislation; Seeds; Timber imports; Wildlife;

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