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Tasmanian Biosecurity Advisories

Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment

Latest Advisories

Subscribing to get Biosecurity Tasmania Advisories is the best way you can keep yourself up-to-date and fully informed about Tasmanian biosecurity issues. Our Advisories cover topics such as changes or proposed changes to Tasmania’s import regulations, animal health and welfare, plant health, forthcoming regulation reviews and opportunities for public comment, new or emerging pest/disease risks and a range of other matters related to Tasmania’s biosecurity.


279 advisories found.
 
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Biosecurity Advisory 31/2021 - Forthcoming changes to Import Requirement 15 - Red Imported Fire Ant carriers

​Biosecurity Tasmania is amending Import Requirement 15 (IR15) of the Plant Biosecurity Manual Tasmania (the Manual) relating to the import of Red Imported Fire Ant (RIFA) carriers.  This will occur in December 2021 to coincide with the release of the 2022 edition of the Manual.

From mid-December 2021, Biosecurity Tasmania will no longer accept carriers of RIFA that are sourced from properties within 5 km of a known infestation of RIFA.

A carrier means anything, that has or can have RIFA on it, attached to it or contained in it. This includes plants with attached potting media, potting media, organic mulch, soil and turf, hay, straw, agricultural equipment and used containers.

This regulatory change is being initiated after research from CSIRO indicated property level freedom (verified by visual inspection) is no longer adequate to confirm absence of RIFA as a standalone measure.

This amendment follows similar changes made by other jurisdictions regulating for RIFA.

Alternative options for meeting IR15 remain including whole State freedom, certified partial area freedom outside 5 km of a known RIFA infestation, and specific chemical treatment measures for carriers.

A further advisory will be issued regarding release of the 2022 edition of the Manual in December when this amendment takes effect.
For the current (2021) version of the Manual visit: https://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/biosecurity-tasmania/plant-biosecurity/plant-biosecurity-manual

(3/11/2021)
Categories: Cropping; Horticulture; Invasive Species; Pasture; Plant diseases; Plant pests; Policy and Legislation; Seeds; Timber imports;

Biosecurity Advisory 30/2021 - Tasmania is Queensland fruit fly free – please help us keep it that way!

​Biosecurity Tasmania is asking all Tasmanians to be vigilant for anything unusual in fruit with the spring and summer months being the peak times for fruit fly activity on mainland Australia and a time of increased risk for Tasmania.

While Biosecurity Tasmania has strict controls in place aimed at reducing the risk of fruit fly getting into Tasmania, we ask everybody to remain vigilant for any signs of fruit fly.

Tell-tale signs of fruit fly 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 potentially be found in fruit that you purchased, or from fruit grown in your backyard.  

Queensland fruit flies lay eggs in a wide range of fruits and fruiting vegetables.  This list is a guide to potential fruit fly hosts.

Good biosecurity is a shared responsibility. 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 and place it in the refrigerator and contact Biosecurity Tasmania on 03 6165 3777.  Please do not dispose of any fruit that has larvae.

More information on Queensland fruit fly is at www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au/fruitfly ​

(4/10/2021)
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 29/2021 - Update on Potato Commodity Import Risk Analysis

​Biosecurity Tasmania initiated an Import Risk Analysis (IRA) for potatoes in October 2020, and significant components of the analysis are now complete.

Completed work includes the determination of eight pathways through which potato pests might enter Tasmania together with host (potato) and potato industry profiling. In addition, most of the pest categorisation data (including for fungi, bacteria, nematodes, phytoplasmas, viruses and viroids, and insects) has been completed, along with six targeted industry consultation sessions.

The IRA has assessed 413 pests worldwide, of which 408 are considered to have a legitimate association with the host (potato). Of the 408 legitimate species, 203 are known to be present in Australia.  Of the 203, a total of 85 are absent from Tasmania.

Of the pests present in Australia, these are being assessed to determine which species will need to attract regulatory attention once this work is completed.  Some will be
declared as Unwanted Quarantine Pests - meaning they are not permitted entry into Tasmania. Others will require full pest risk analysis to determine if they are to be considered Regulated Quarantine Pests (RQPs) - formally regulated in trade via Import Requirements (IRs).  Full pest risk analysis includes production of supporting pest data sheets. The data sheets underpin estimation of likelihoods of entry, establishment, spread and potential consequences in Tasmania.

Further work also includes revision of the relevant Import Requirement (IR), and industry and public consultation on the IRA before it is finalised.

It is estimated that the IRA will be available for public consultation by the end of 2021.

For more information contact Biosecurity Tasmania on 03 6165 3777 or email: Biosecurity.Tasmania@dpipwe.tas.gov.au

(30/9/2021)
Categories: Cropping; Horticulture; Plant diseases; Plant pests; Policy and Legislation;

Biosecurity Advisory 28/2021 - Biosecurity Tasmania is calling for volunteers to participate in 2021-2022 ‘Adopt-a-Trap’ Survey.

​Biosecurity Tasmania is calling for volunteers from across the state to host insect traps on their properties during the periods of October to December 2021 and January to March 2022.  

This survey aims to re-affirm that Tasmania remains free of a range of exotic plant pests such as tomato potato psyllid (TPP) (Bactericera cockerelli), carrot psyllids (Bactericera trigonica and Trioza apicalis), African citrus psyllid (Trioza erytreae), Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri),  glassy winged sharpshooter (GWSS) (Homalodisca vitripennis) as well as exotic leaf miners (Liriomyza spp) including;  tomato leaf miner (Liriomyza bryoniae), chickpea leaf miner (Liriomyza cicerina), serpentine leaf miner (Liriomyza huidobrensis), vegetable leaf miner (Liriomyza sativae) and American serpentine leaf miner (Liriomyza trifolii).
These pests and diseases are a serious threat to Australia’s potato, tomato, carrot, viticulture, citrus, stone fruit, tree nut and nursery production industries.   

While Tasmania is currently free from these pests it is important that we remain vigilant.

The Tasmanian information collected from the survey will be combined with data from other participating states. This will provide ongoing evidence that these pests are not established in Tasmania.

Participants will be provided with a kit and instructions on how to use the traps.
To register or for more information about the survey please visit https://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/biosecurity-tasmania/plant-biosecurity/plant-pest-surveillance/adopt-a-trap-pest-survey
This is an important project to provide evidence of freedom or early detection of exotic pests in Tasmania and your assistance is greatly appreciated.

(28/9/2021)
Categories: Cropping; Horticulture; Invasive Species; Natural environment; Pasture; Plant diseases; Plant pests; Policy and Legislation;

Biosecurity Advisory 27/2021 - REMINDER: Have your say about the Tasmanian Primary Produce Traceability Strategy 2022-2027

REMINDER: You have until the close of business on Monday 20 September to have your say about the proposed Tasmanian Primary Produce Traceability Strategy 2022-2027.

Tasmanian Primary producers and other Tasmanian stakeholders are invited to have their say and inform the development of the Tasmanian Primary Produce Traceability Strategy 2022-2027.

Tasmania is renowned for producing safe, high quality agricultural products and food, for both the domestic and export markets. Traceability systems help to ensure both the integrity and safety of our produce.

The aim of the Strategy is to ensure that Tasmania's primary produce traceability programs are delivered in a strategic and integrated way, whilst complementing and strengthening inter-agency and national biosecurity arrangements and priorities for industry development and growth.

Your submissions are welcomed. Have your say by visiting the Biosecurity Tasmania website and downloading a copy of the Consultation Paper. Submissions must be received by COB Monday 20 September 2021.

www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au/ppt​

(16/9/2021)
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 26/2021 - Amendments to Import Requirement 28 - Blueberry Rust - Hosts and Vectors

​Blueberry rust (BBR) has been detected in Victoria in recent months, and as a result the Victorian Government has revoked their State Area Freedom for BBR.

Biosecurity Tasmania has subsequently reviewed the existing Import Requirement (IR) 28 (Blueberry Rust – Hosts and Vectors), to ensure it remains fit for purpose.

It is important to note that plant species other than Vaccinium spp. (Vaccinium spp. includes blueberry and all other species from the Vaccinium genus) have been removed from the IR as potential BBR hosts. This is because BBR has never been detected on any host species other than species in the Vaccinium genus in any Australian state or territory (including Tasmania).

The plant species now removed from IR28 are still subject to a range of other Import Requirements to manage general biosecurity risk.

Amendments to IR28 come into effect from 6 September 2021.

The revised IR is available on the Biosecurity Tasmania website.

For more information contact Biosecurity Tasmania on 03 6165 3777 or email: Biosecurity.Tasmania@dpipwe,tas.gov.au.

(6/9/2021)
Categories: Cropping; Horticulture; Plant diseases; Plant pests; Policy and Legislation;

Biosecurity Advisory 25/2021 - Preparing the Tasmanian Primary Produce Traceability Strategy 2022-2027 – Have Your Say

Tasmanian Primary producers and other Tasmanian stakeholders are invited to provide input into the development of the Tasmanian Primary Produce Traceability Strategy 2022-2027.

Public submissions via the consultation paper are now open. 

All written submissions on this consultation paper must be received by 11:59 pm on 20 September 2021.

The aim of the Strategy is to ensure that Tasmania’s primary produce traceability programs are delivered in a strategic and integrated way, whilst complementing and strengthening interagency and national biosecurity arrangements and priorities for industry development and growth. The Strategy seeks to broaden the scope of Tasmanian traceability requirements, from primarily applying to meat production, to in the future encompassing a variety of agricultural industry sectors producing food and agricultural products.

Tasmania has a renowned reputation for producing safe, high quality agricultural products and food, for both the domestic and export markets. Traceability systems help to ensure both the integrity and safety of our produce.  To continue to build on our reputation, including maintaining and improving our competitive advantage in international markets, we need to continue to enhance our traceability systems to ensure our agricultural products are safe and attractive to all markets.

Enhancing traceability can improve:
  • Biosecurity management for a broader scope of Tasmanian primary produce;
  • Market access both domestically and internationally;
  • Supply chain information; and
  • Protection from counterfeiting and brand protection more generally. 
The Consultation Paper is the first consultation mechanism of many that will be used throughout the development of the Strategy and the subsequent legislative change processes. The submissions received as part of this initial consultation process will be collated and evaluated to inform the strategy development process.

All written submissions on this consultation paper must be received by 11:59 pm on 20 September 2021.

Visit the Biosecurity Tasmania website to download the Consultation Paper: Preparing the Tasmanian Primary Produce Traceability Strategy 2022-2027​. 

If you have any questions please contact the Product Integrity Branch, Biosecurity Tasmania by phone on 0418 361 085 or by email at product.integrity@dpipwe.tas.gov.au

(20/8/2021)
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 24/2021 – Risk Assessment for the import of a Binturong (Arctictis binturong) into Tasmania – public comments invited

​The Policy, Advice and Regulatory Services Branch of the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (DPIPWE) has received a submission for the import into Tasmania of Binturong ​(Arctictis binturong) (also known as the Bearcat).

A risk assessment of the species has been undertaken by DPIPWE and public comments are invited by 25 August 2021.

Details of the species profile and risk assessment is available for viewing on the DPIPWE website at: https://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/wildlife-management/management-of-wildlife/wildlife-imports/species-risk-assessments-for-comment 

(16/8/2021)
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 23/2021 - Imported produce and freight: Increased inspection regime to recommence

From its inception in 2019, the Securing our Borders (SOB) initiative has allowed Biosecurity Tasmania (BT) to further boost frontline resources to help keep Tasmania free from economically significant pests and diseases not present in the State. Key benefits of this include the protection and support of the state’s primary industries and brand, and the maintenance of grower access to premium export markets.

A central component of the initiative was a substantial increase in the number of inspections being undertaken by BT staff on imported produce profiled as being at a high or medium risk of carrying pests such as fruit fly, tomato-potato psyllid (TPP), blueberry rust and grape phylloxera.  Additional BT staff numbers allowed a major increase in targeted daily inspections of imported produce across the state between the high-risk period of October to March for both the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021seasons. 

During the 2020-2021 season, and despite the operational challenges presented during the COVID-19 pandemic,  a total of 4,659 individual inspections were undertaken at Approved Quarantine Places (AQP) across the state, involving the hand inspection of 2,085,764 individual pieces of produce.  BT has also continued to manage and inspect produce imports over the colder, lower-risk months. 

To manage the seasonal risk associated with warming weather, both in Tasmania and on the mainland, the SOB produce inspections, and freight, will soon be commencing for the 2021-2022 high risk season.  Increased inspections will recommence on 1 October 2021 and will continue through to the end of March 2022, however high rates of inspection will be maintained throughout the year. 

To support the increased inspection regime, BT has recently advertised for 20 part-time, fixed term Biosecurity Inspector roles spread across the North, North West and South of the state.  For more information about the positions and to apply, please visit: www.jobs.tas.gov.au ​

Whilst inspections of imported goods forms one component of a broader biosecurity system aimed at preventing pests such as fruit fly from entering Tasmania, we are asking everybody to remain vigilant over the coming spring and summer months.  If you see something suspect (such as insect larvae) in produce that you have bought from the supermarket, or grown in your backyard, please report it to BT on 03 6165 3777.

Importers or suppliers seeking further detail about SOB inspection procedures should contact Biosecurity Tasmania by phone on 03 6165 3777 or by email at: Biosecurity.Tasmania@dpipwe.tas.gov.au​

(13/8/2021)
Categories: Cropping; Horticulture; Natural environment; Policy and Legislation; Gene technology; Pasture; Plant pests;

Biosecurity Advisory 22/2021 – Responsible green waste management

The dumping of garden clippings and other green waste material into the environment poses the risk of introducing unwanted environmental weeds and diseases into our native bushlands and waterways. 

When you are maintaining your home garden or aquarium, the responsible management of green waste on your property will help prevent the spread and impact of weeds on Tasmania’s unique natural environment.
 
Common home garden plants often become environmental weeds through the illegal dumping of green waste - for example (but not limited to): Foxglove, Banana Passionfruit and Cape Ivy. Most of Australia’s water weed problems have resulted from the dumping of aquarium plants into waterways.

To help manage the risk, consider composting garden and aquarium green waste within your own contained composting system and reuse as fertiliser or mulch on your property. Good composting will destroy the reproductive capacity of many potential weed plants and return much of the nutrition they may have removed, back into your soil.  Alternatively, utilise council green waste bins and facilities, instead of resorting to discarding the waste illegally and damaging our environment.

Remember, we all have a General Biosecurity Duty to help protect Tasmania from pests, weeds and diseases. You can help meet your General Biosecurity Duty by taking measures to reduce the risk of your green waste impacting upon the environment.


More information about the General Biosecurity Duty can be found here: www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au/GBD​

(29/7/2021)
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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