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.

194 advisories found for Timber+imports.

Biosecurity Advisory 13/2026 - Nominations for the 2026 Tasmanian Biosecurity Awards are now open

The Tasmanian Biosecurity Awards recognise individuals, organisations or businesses for significant contributions to biosecurity in Tasmania.

This is an opportunity to recognise those in our communities and industries who have gone above and beyond to help protect our future.

Biosecurity is foundational to Tasmania’s economic, cultural and natural values. We all share the benefits of our strong biosecurity system, as it:

underpins our multi-billion-dollar agri-food production and export industries; and
helps to protect our unique flora, fauna and ecosystems that are of immeasurable value to Tasmanians. This includes to our First Nations peoples, the original and ongoing custodians of Land and Sea Country, as well as visitors to our state.

The awards recognise two categories, the Tasmanian Community Biosecurity Award and the Tasmanian Industry Biosecurity Award.

In 2025 the Community Award was won by Lalani Hyatt and the Industry Award by Nathan Saunders from Elders Rural Services Tasmania.

Lalani was recognised for her role in Landcare Tasmania’s Rainbow Lorikeet Management Group. Lalani was recognised for her commitment to the volunteer group and their dedication to the ongoing management of invasive rainbow lorikeets in Tasmania.

Nathan was recognised for his work supporting the Tasmanian livestock industry with new mandatory sheep and goat electronic identification (eID) requirements that came into effect on 1 January 2025.

If you, your team, business, organisation, group, or someone that you know, has contributed to supporting and improving biosecurity in Tasmania, you can submit a nomination today.

Nominations for the 2026 awards will close midnight 31 July 2026.

More information about the awards and the online nomination form can be found at – www.nre.tas.gov.au/tasbiosecurityawards

(12/5/2026)
Categories: Animal welfare; Animals (general); Bird flu; Cropping; Freshwater pests; Gene technology; Horticulture; Information for Bass Strait Islands; Invasive Species; Livestock; Marine pests; Natural environment; Pasture; Plant diseases; Plant pests; Policy and Legislation; Seeds; Timber imports; Wildlife;

Biosecurity Advisory 10/2026 - Release of the Plant Biosecurity Manual Tasmania 2026

Biosecurity Tasmania will publish a new edition of the Plant Biosecurity Manual Tasmania (PBMTas) on 22 April 2026. An updated Group Permit for the Import of Restricted Matter (Plants, Plant Products & Horticultural Material) will also come into effect at the same time.

The updated manual reflects several important plant biosecurity regulatory changes. These changes are based on Import Risk Analyses undertaken by Biosecurity Tasmania over recent years.

This edition also incorporates updated import requirements for the movement of hosts and non-host carriers of tomato potato psyllid (TPP). These requirements came into effect in December 2025 under a group permit. The TPP group permit will be revoked when the PBMTas 2026 edition is published.

Other revisions have been made to improve clarity and, where possible and appropriate, streamline regulatory processes.

Key changes are outlined in the explanatory note on page ‘i’ of the manual and include several of the following highlighted changes:

The Manual includes but is not limited to the following revisions:

Exclusion of ‘seed for sowing’ from regulations held within Section 2.6.4 – Re-entry of Restricted Matter originating from Tasmania;
Simplification of Section 2.9 – Semi-processed and Processed Plant Products, highlighting the fact that such plant products which are not listed as Permitted Matter must meet all relevant Import Requirements or be subject of an Individual Permit;
Major revisions to Section 2.10 – Tissue Culture regulatory entry conditions;
Major revisions to Import Requirement 9 (relating to potatoes) informed by outcomes of the Import Risk Analysis of Potatoes undertaken by Biosecurity Tasmania;
Strengthened import requirements related to grape phylloxera (IR9) informed by the outcomes of BT’s import risk analysis for Grape Phylloxera.
Amendments to pest are freedom recognition requirements under Import Requirement 15 which addresses risks associated with Red Imported Fire Ant (RIFA).
Amendments to Import Requirement 36 (Seeds for Sowing), regarding small weight seed imports no longer requiring a Statement of Seed Analysis for imports of 1kg or less per variety of seed if certain pre-existing conditions defined in Clause I(b) are met, along with clarification on what an Approved Seed Supplier or Approved Seed Importer are, and how to apply;
Refinement to Import Requirement 45 (Fruit Fly and Grape Phylloxera Host Produce – Repacking, Processing and Composite Lots), about condition of entry for fruit of a plant that is a fruit fly host product which may be processed prior to repacking under an approved method prior to entry into Tasmania;
Amendments to Import Requirement 46 (Tomato Potato Psyllid) made in December 2025 under a Group Permit following the expansion of the pest into Victoria have been incorporated into the manual.
Introduction of a new import requirement (IR47) related to Myrtle rust, informed by the recommendations BT’s IRA into Myrtle Rust.
Removal of Appendix 1.1 – Restricted Plants of Particular Concern from the Manual.

You can find the current Plant Biosecurity Manual Tasmania 2024 edition and supporting information on our website. The 2026 edition will be available and come into effect from 12:01am Wednesday 22 April 2026.

(20/4/2026)
Categories: Cropping; Horticulture; Pasture; Plant diseases; Plant pests; Policy and Legislation; Seeds; Timber imports;

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 35/2025 - Tomato potato psyllid detections in Victoria

Tomato potato psyllid (TPP) is an insect pest that affects crops including potatoes, tomatoes and capsicums. It feeds on other plants too including eggplants chillies, tamarillos, and sweet potatoes. Its feeding can cause plants to become stunted, with curled and yellow leaves. TPP is established in Western Australia and was detected on the Bellarine Peninsula in Victoria in 2024. In October 2025 it was found in a Melbourne backyard outside of the Bellarine Peninsula Restricted Area.

TPP does not impact food safety and there is no risk to consumers.

This latest detection in Victoria will affect the movement of host and carrier materials between states, including to Tasmania. Due to this, Biosecurity Tasmania will be amending the current import requirements for TPP (Import Requirement (IR) 46 under the Plant Biosecurity Manual Tasmania 2024 edition).

These changes to import requirements will help to minimise the risk of TPP entering Tasmania while still maintaining necessary trade pathways between Tasmanian and Victoria for produce.

Agriculture Victoria is also rapidly implementing required accreditation arrangements to provide confidence in product movements to Tasmania being free of TPP.

The changes we are making to IR46 expand the treatment options available for TPP entering Tasmania and will include:

Methyl bromide fumigation or irradiation for host and carrier produce (fruit and vegetables), cut flowers and nursery stock.
Insecticide and export inspection for host and carrier nursery stock.

These changes will come into effect on 8 December 2025.

These changes to IR46 are new and relate to a plant pest that Victorian businesses have not had to previously consider managing, particularly when exporting goods to Tasmania.

Some commodities may not be as readily available as usual while businesses adapt their processes to meet the new requirements in IR46. This may include imported cut flowers, imported nursery stock, and some imported produce.

We do not anticipate this will impact food availability overall or cause food shortages. However, you may need to seek out alternative shops, businesses or suppliers to source some imported items while Victorian businesses adjust to these changes.

Shops and businesses that stock local or Tasmanian-grown flowers, nursery stock and produce will be unaffected.

The revised IR46 will be established through the issuance of a Group Permit and will be available on our website from 8 December 2025 at www.nre.tas.gov.au/biosecurity-tasmania/the-tasmanian-biosecurity-compendium/group-permits

It is important to note this Group Permit will override the IR46 currently listed in the Plant Biosecurity Manual Tasmania 2024 edition. A new version of the manual with the revised IR46 will be issued in due course.

TPP can also spread a serious disease called Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum (CLso), which causes “zebra chip" in potatoes. This disease creates dark stripes inside potatoes, making them unmarketable and reducing crop yields. CLso is not currently present in Australia.

Further updates on the TPP detections in Victoria are available on the Agriculture Victoria website.

To stay informed on any changes to regulation for produce entering Tasmania from Victoria, visit the Department of Natural Resources and Environment webpage.

(5/12/2025)
Categories: Cropping; Gene technology; Horticulture; Information for Bass Strait Islands; Invasive Species; Natural environment; Pasture; Plant diseases; Plant pests; Policy and Legislation; Seeds; Timber imports;

Biosecurity Advisory 31/2025 - Start of Fruit Fly High Risk Season for Tasmania

Spring is here, which means more pressure and risk of fruit flies occurring in fruit from mainland states. Biosecurity Tasmania asks all Tasmanians to keep an eye out for anything unusual in the fruit they buy or grow. The spring and summer months are the peak times for fruit fly activity interstate and a time of increased risk for Tasmania.

Tasmania is fruit fly free, help us keep it that way!

Biosecurity Tasmania has strict controls and ongoing statewide surveillance in place; all aimed at reducing the risk of fruit flies getting into Tasmania. We also rely on the eyes of everyone and ask everybody to report any signs of fruit fly.

Tell-tale signs of fruit fly include live larvae or eggs in the flesh of fruit, or small puncture marks on the skin of fruit. Fruit fly larvae look similar to blowfly maggots and could potentially be found in fruit that you purchased, or from fruit grown in your backyard.

Fruit flies lay eggs in a wide range of fruits and fruiting vegetables.

Remember biosecurity is a shared responsibility, and we all have a general biosecurity duty. Biosecurity Tasmania works closely with mainland states to help manage the fruit fly risk and there are increased resources and inspections taking place at the border for imported fruit fly host produce. However, the risk to Tasmania can never be zero. Therefore industry, government and the community are encouraged to remain vigilant and work together to help protect Tasmania.

Anyone who notices any larvae in fruit is asked to put the fruit in a sealed bag or container, place it in the refrigerator and contact Biosecurity Tasmania on 03 6165 3777. Please DO NOT dispose of any fruit that has larvae present.

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

(7/10/2025)
Categories: Animal welfare; Animals (general); Cropping; Gene technology; Horticulture; Information for Bass Strait Islands; Invasive Species; Natural environment; Plant diseases; Plant pests; Policy and Legislation; Seeds; Timber imports; Wildlife; Bird flu; Freshwater pests; Livestock; Marine pests; Pasture;

Biosecurity Advisory 24/2025 - Update on Potato mop-top virus detection in Tasmania

Biosecurity Tasmania is responding to the detection of Potato mop-top virus on a property in Northwest Tasmania.

A biosecurity incident has been declared, and an Incident Management Team has been implemented to manage the biosecurity response. The Incident Management Team was formed upon initial suspicion that the plant virus was present in Tasmania.

Biosecurity Directions are in place to stop the movement of potato material, machinery and equipment from the site and an associated storage facility.

Through the additional surveillance and sampling activities being conducted as part of the biosecurity response, an additional site has returned a positive result for Potato mop-top virus in potato tubers.

This was confirmed via diagnostic testing on the evening of 20 August 2025.

This detection was made in volunteer potato tubers originating from a research plot in the states South.

Biosecurity Tasmania is working with owner of the research plot to undertake tracing activities.

Volunteer potatoes are residual potatoes that can remain in the ground following a harvest. The tubers can survive in the soil and then sprout in future seasons.

The biosecurity response to Potato mop-top virus remains in the investigation phase and next steps, including an assessment of the feasibility of eradication, will depend on further information gathered.

All potato growers need to remain vigilant for any signs of disease in potato plants and potato stock.

If you think you have seen Potato mop-top virus in your crop or backyard, phone the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881.

To stay updated on the biosecurity response to Potato mop-top virus in Tasmania, visit www.nre.tas.gov.au/PMTV

(22/8/2025)
Categories: Animals (general); Cropping; Gene technology; Horticulture; Information for Bass Strait Islands; Invasive Species; Livestock; Natural environment; Pasture; Plant diseases; Plant pests; Policy and Legislation; Seeds; Timber imports;

Biosecurity Advisory 23/2025 - Potato mop-top virus detected in Tasmania

Biosecurity Tasmania is responding to the detection of Potato mop-top virus (PMTV; Pomovirus solani) in potatoes harvested from Northwest Tasmania.

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

Potato mop-top virus is a plant virus that affects the development and quality of potatoes and is most commonly spread by the soil-borne pathogen that causes powdery scab in potatoes (Spongospora subterranea).

The virus has been detected on a property in Northwest Tasmania following an industry member reporting potatoes showing signs of disease to Biosecurity Tasmania. Control measures are in place to manage the movement of possible risk material including potatoes and soil.

Biosecurity Tasmania has formed an Incident Management Team to respond to this detection and have commenced additional surveillance and diagnostics.

Biosecurity Tasmania is working with impacted businesses and the potato industry to conduct tracing operations. This will help to determine the distribution of PMTV in Tasmania and identify the likely source of infection.

This detection represents the first occurrence of PMTV in Australia. Tasmania will work with both state and national industry groups and other government jurisdictions to determine the feasibility of eradication.

These discussions will inform ongoing response activities in Tasmania

All growers and members of the public to remain vigilant for any signs of disease in potato plants and potato stock. You should report anything unusual such as signs of disease or other pests to Biosecurity Tasmania immediately, or the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline at 1800 084 881.

More information will be published online at www.nre.tas.gov.au/currentalerts as surveillance and diagnostic activities continue.

Further updates will be announced online and via the Tasmanian Biosecurity Advisory Service, which you can subscribe to at www.biosecurityadvisory.nre.tas.gov.au/subscribe

If you need assistance of support during this time, please remember that help is always available. You can contact:

Lifeline 24/7 - 13 11 14
Access Mental Health Phoneline - 1800 332 388

This is a 24/7 mental health support, triage, and referral phone line delivered by the Tasmanian Department of Health in partnership with Lifeline Tasmania.

Rural Alive and Well (RAW) - 1800 729 827 or online www.ruralaliveandwell.com.au

(13/8/2025)
Categories: Animal welfare; Animals (general); Bird flu; Cropping; Freshwater pests; Gene technology; Horticulture; Information for Bass Strait Islands; Invasive Species; Livestock; Marine pests; Natural environment; Pasture; Plant diseases; Plant pests; Policy and Legislation; Seeds; Timber imports; Wildlife;

Biosecurity Advisory 21/2025 - Nominations for the 2025 Tasmanian Biosecurity Awards are now open.

The Tasmanian Biosecurity Awards recognise individuals, organisations or businesses that have significantly contributed to the support, maintenance or improvement of biosecurity systems within Tasmania.

This is an opportunity to recognise those in our communities and industries who have gone above and beyond to help protect our future.

Biosecurity is foundational to Tasmania’s economic, cultural and natural values and we all share the benefits of our strong biosecurity system.

It underpins our multi-billion-dollar agri-food production and export industries, and helps to protect our unique flora, fauna and ecosystems that are of immeasurable value to Tasmanians, including our First Nations peoples, the original and ongoing custodians of Land and Sea Country, as well as visitors to our state.

The awards recognise two categories, the Tasmanian Community Biosecurity Award and the Tasmanian Industry Biosecurity Award.

In 2024 the Community Award was won by Bettina Elischer and the Industry Award by the TasPorts Environment and Sustainability Team.

Bettina was recognised for her outstanding contribution to the Tasmanian beekeeping community and Biosecurity Tasmania’s statewide bee pest surveillance program through the apiary program that she runs at Government House in Hobart.

TasPorts were recognised for their work to increase awareness and knowledge of biosecurity threats at their ports through development of educational material and reporting pathways for each port, as well as reinforcement through a compliance program.

If you, your team, business, organisation, group, or someone that you know, has contributed to supporting and improving biosecurity in Tasmania, you can submit a nomination today.

More information about the awards and the online nomination form can be found at – www.nre.tas.gov.au/tasbiosecurityawards

(1/8/2025)
Categories: Animal welfare; Animals (general); Cropping; Freshwater pests; Horticulture; Information for Bass Strait Islands; Invasive Species; Livestock; Marine pests; Natural environment; Plant diseases; Plant pests; Policy and Legislation; Seeds; Timber imports; Wildlife; Pasture;

Biosecurity Advisory 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;

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