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Tasmanian Biosecurity Advisories

Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment

Latest Advisories

Subscribing to get DPIPWE’s Biosecurity 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.


113 advisories found for Livestock.
 
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Biosecurity Advisory 2/2020 - An important reminder regarding requirements for the importation of cattle into Tasmania.


Biosecurity Tasmania would like to remind importers that the following conditions exist in relation to the importation of cattle into Tasmania.

  • The shipment must be accompanied by a completed:
  • The cattle must be identified with a National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) identification device. 
  • The cattle must be inspected by the owner or person in charge within 7 days prior to movement to Tasmania, and be found free of signs of disease.
  • The cattle must not be known or suspected of being infected with, or exposed to a List A or List B disease (https://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/biosecurity-tasmania/animal-biosecurity/animal-health/notifiable-animal-diseases), other than Johne's Disease, within 42 days prior to movement to Tasmania commencing.  Please note - Enzootic Bovine Leucosis (EBL) remains a list B notifiable disease in Tasmania.
  • The herd of origin must not be subject to any animal movement restrictions, other than restrictions for Bovine Johne's Disease.
  • Cattle that are infected or suspected of being infected with Johne’s disease may be introduced into Tasmania providing the purchaser or recipient has been advised that the cattle are infected or suspected of being infected with Johne’s Disease.
  • The owner or person in charge of the animals in the exporting State or Territory must certify within 7 days prior to movement to Tasmania that, to the best of their knowledge, all the above conditions have been met. 
  • A Stock Inspector or Government Veterinary Officer in the state of origin must certify that after due enquiry, they have no reason to doubt the above 'owner declaration'. 
  • The importer must transfer NLIS numbers of these cattle on the NLIS database within seven (7) days of arrival in Tasmania.
Application to the Chief Veterinary Officer for a Special Authority to import cattle into Tasmania may be made for cattle not meeting the above requirements (please contact: AnimalDisease.Enquiries@dpipwe.tas.gov.au​).
Further information regarding livestock importation to Tasmania is available at https://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/biosecurity-tasmania/biosecurity/importing-animals 

(17/1/2020)
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 1/2020 -​ Tasmania is Queensland fruit fly free – please help us keep it that way

Summer is the peak time 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 preventing fruit fly from getting into Tasmania, we ask everybody to remain vigilant for any signs of fruit fly.

Fruit fly larvae look similar to blowfly maggots and could be found in fruit that you bought from the supermarket or from fruit in your backyard.

Queensland fruit flies lay eggs in maturing and ripe fruit on trees and sometimes in fallen fruit. The maggots (larvae) hatch and the fruit is destroyed by the feeding maggots and by associated fruit decay. Queensland fruit flies can lay eggs in a wide range of fruit, fruiting vegetables and native fruiting plants.

Evidence of Queensland fruit fly activity is also sometimes observed as puncture marks (stings) in the skin of fruit. The stings are where the female fruit fly has laid her eggs.

If you see something suspect and are not sure, please report it to Biosecurity Tasmania on 03 6165 3777.

Please do not dispose of any fruit that has larvae you think might be fruit fly.  Instead place the fruit in a plastic bag or plastic container and put it in your fridge until a Biosecurity Tasmania officer can collect it.

For more information on Queensland fruit fly visit the Biosecurity Tasmania website at: www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au/fruitfly

(8/1/2020)
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 30/2019 - Release of the Plant Biosecurity Manual Tasmania 2020 Edition & changes to the Tasmanian Biosecurity Import Requirement Database - TBIRD

Biosecurity Tasmania wishes to advise that the 2020 edition of the Plant Biosecurity Manual Tasmania (PBMTas) is available as of today, 18 December 2019.

The 2020 edition incorporates a number of changes to import requirements including:

  • ​Import Requirement 2 – Fruit Fly Host Produce – Disinfestation with Methyl Bromide;
  • Import Requirement 10 – Grape Phylloxera – Hosts and Vectors;
  • ​Import Requirement 11 – Onion Smut and Iris Yellow Spot Tospovirus – Hosts and Vectors;
  • ​Import Requirement 31 – Hosts and Vectors – Citrus Canker
  • Import Requirement 37 – Plant Material and Soil for the Purposes of Laboratory Analysis or Diagnosis; and
  • Import Requirement 46 – Tomato Potato Psyllid – Hosts and Vectors.

Some of the above changes occurred during 2019 and are now incorporated into the 2020 edition.

Additionally, Parts 1 and 2 of the PBMTas have been reformatted to make it easier for importers to understand their general obligations when importing prescribed matter into Tasmania.

A more comprehensive list of all changes can be found in the section 68 notice at the front of the PBMTas 2020 edition.

Please also be advised that Biosecurity Tasmania’s up to date pest and disease listings (Regulated Quarantine Pests including List A and B pests and diseases as well as Unwanted Quarantine Pests) can be found within the PBMTas 2020 edition or from here.

In addition, the current Tasmanian Biosecurity Import Requirement Database (TBIRD) has been disabled to make way for a new and improved database of biosecurity import requirements (TBIRD v2.0). TBIRD v2.0 will include import requirements relating to plants and plant products, animal health, wildlife and invasive species.

It is anticipated that TBIRD v2.0 will be available in mid-2020.

In the meantime, Tasmania’s import requirements for prescribed matter (plants and plant products) can be accessed via the PDF version of the PBMTas 2020 edition​.

(18/12/2019)
Categories: Cropping; Horticulture; Invasive Species; Natural environment; Pasture; Plant diseases; Plant pests; Policy and Legislation; Seeds; Timber imports; Freshwater pests; Gene technology; Livestock; Marine pests; Wildlife;

Biosecurity Advisory 29/2019 - Biosecurity Advisory Committee Announced

​The Minister for Primary Industries and Water, Guy Barnett, has announced appointments to the Tasmanian Biosecurity Advisory Committee.

The selection of the Committee followed a public expression of interest process and has been formed as an independent advisory body to the Government and Minister to help guide Government strategies and policy for biosecurity matters in Tasmania.

Members appointed to the Committee include industry leaders and experts across animal and plant agriculture, fisheries, science, environment, government, tourism and other representatives - drawn from across Tasmania.

Visit the Biosecurity Tasmania website for information on the Biosecurity Act 2019 and the Committee.​ www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au/biosecurity-act​​​

(28/11/2019)
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 28/2019 - Acute bovine liver disease advice

​Acute bovine liver disease (ABLD), previously known as phytotoxic hepatitis, is a disease of beef and dairy cattle. Tasmanian livestock owners and veterinarians are being asked to be on the lookout for symptoms of ABLD in their herds, following a recent episode that is highly suspicious of ABLD on a property in northern Tasmania.

The signs of ABLD are variable. Affected cattle may be distressed, agitated, seek shade and develop sunburn on the muzzle and areas of pale skin, such as white faces, white patches, udder and vulva. Other signs may include fever, a drop in milk production and depression. Other species such as sheep and horses are not affected.

An annual grass known as rough dog's tail (Cynosurus echinatus) is often associated with cases of ABLD, however it is unknown whether the plant is directly involved or whether it is merely an 'indicator' of some other factor.

Because many cases of ABLD are associated with warm, moist weather in autumn or spring, a fungal toxin associated with rough dog's tail has been suggested as being a possible cause. To date a fungus species, Pyrenophora (previously known as Dreschlera), has been identified as a candidate however this is yet to be confirmed. There is no current evidence that the plant itself is toxic. State departments of agriculture and primary industry are currently studying cases in an attempt to identify the cause(s). 

There is no known cure for the condition. Although recovery is normally prolonged, early intervention by a veterinarian may assist with recovery by the use of medications such as anti-inflammatories, anti-histamines and zinc.
Paddocks may remain 'toxic' for variable lengths of time (hours to months) following an ABLD event. It is unknown whether 'toxic' paddocks will be 'toxic' in future years.

Management options include: (1) eating out the paddock with sheep to reduce the amount of dry standing material, (2) cultivation of high risk paddocks, (3) avoiding grazing cattle on paddocks with an abundance of dry material which have been spelled for extended periods of time, and (4) trying cattle again but with only a few animals at first to test for 'toxicity'.

Cattle should be frequently observed if grazed on 'at-risk' paddocks during 'danger' periods, particularly during autumn and spring. Cattle should be moved off the paddock immediately if any unusual signs are observed.

For further information on ABLD can be found on the Biosecurity Tasmania website, or contact your veterinary practitioner.

If you suspect a case of ABLD, contact your veterinary practitioner promptly.


(28/11/2019)
Categories: Cropping; Horticulture; Livestock; Natural environment; Pasture; Plant pests; Policy and Legislation;

Biosecurity Advisory 27/2019 - Import Risk Analysis - Pigeons and Fertile Pigeon Eggs

​A draft Import Risk Analysis (IRA) on the importation of live pigeons and their fertile eggs has been prepared by Biosecurity Tasmania.

The draft IRA is now available for public comment until 5pm Friday 3 January 2020. Public consultation is a critical component of the IRA process.

Pigeon Paramyxovirus 1 (PPMV1), the disease for which current import conditions were enacted, was detected in Tasmania in 2013. Both Pigeon Paramyxovirus 1 (PPMV1) and Pigeon rotavirus may cause a significant impact to individual pigeon owners and pigeon events. Given that these diseases are present in Tasmania, and that pigeon races across Bass Strait have recommenced, these risks are considered best managed on a flock and event basis by implementing sound biosecurity measures and/or flock vaccination under the advice of a veterinarian.

Therefore the IRA proposes that the importation into Tasmania of pigeons and their fertile eggs be amended to reflect the same requirements that have been adopted for poultry and cage birds -  that is importation without restriction, except for the requirement that imported animals appear healthy on visual inspection and be under no current movement restrictions.

Information on the IRA and how to make a submission can be found on the Biosecurity Tasmania website:

(26/11/2019)
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 25/2019 - Weeds Action Fund Projects Announced

​A total of thirty four projects have been successful in obtaining funding under the Tasmanian Government's Weeds Action Fund (WAF), 'Small Grants' program. 

Weed control activities and lost agricultural production are a substantial cost to Tasmanian farmers and the Government will work closely with Mr. Ian Sauer, Chair of the Tasmanian Weeds Action Fund, to reduce the serious impact and threat of weeds across our State.

Successful projects include actions targeting serious agricultural and environmental weeds such as Paterson's curse, horehound, gorse, Spanish heath, Besom heath, African boxthorn, orange hawkweed, Parramatta grass, serrated tussock, and Chilean needle grass. 

Several projects are also targeting weed threats to wetlands, off-shore islands, such as Maatsuyker Island and islands in the Furneaux group, and weeds threatening vegetation communities such as black gum.

These projects represent the first stage of the five year Weeds Action Fund and help to ensure that landowners and the community are able to tackle in an effective way significant agricultural and environmental weeds and to reduce the cost and impact of weeds.

The Tasmanian Government Weeds Action Fund (WAF) is a ground-breaking fund with a total budget of $5 million over five years to tackle weeds that are impacting on valuable agricultural and environmental assets.

The Government is currently developing Stage 2 of the Weeds Action Fund in which the majority of the Government's $5 million commitment will roll out over the next four years.

More information on the Weeds Action Fund can be found on the Biosecurity Tasmania website.​

(20/11/2019)
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 24/2019 - Public comments are invited on the proposed import of the Golden lion tamarin into Tasmania

​The Wildlife Management Branch of the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment have received a submission for the Golden lion tamarin (Leontopithecus rosalia) species profile for consideration to import into Tasmania. 

Public comments are invited by 13 November 2019
  
Details of the species profile and risk assessment is available for viewing on the DPIPWE website at:  

(1/11/2019)
Categories: Freshwater pests; Invasive Species; Natural environment; Policy and Legislation; Wildlife; Livestock; Gene technology;

Biosecurity Advisory 23/2019 - Important Update: Proposed Property Identification Code (PIC) Reforms - submission date extended

​MPORTANT UPDATE: The closing date for submissions of public comments on the proposed property identification code (PIC) reforms has now been extended until Friday 15 November 2019. (See Biosecurity Advisory 22/2019 for more details). Please visit the website for more information: http://www.agriculture.gov.au/…/propertyidentificationrefor…​

(1/11/2019)
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 22/2019 - Proposed Property Identification Code (PIC) Reforms – Important Reminder

​The Commonwealth, States and Territories are currently reviewing traceability arrangements across animal, plant and food industry sectors. This work is examining opportunities to enhance traceability systems and arrangements to help Australia more effectively:

  • manage pest and disease outbreaks;
  • manage food safety, trade and market access requirements, and;
  • address consumer interest in product sustainability, ethics and provenance.
One critical component of Australia’s existing primary produce traceability system is the Property Identification Code, commonly known as a PIC.  A PIC is a unique code assigned to one or more properties or businesses that are involved with activity along the primary produce supply chain. 

PICs have been used in the livestock sector for many years as part of the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS).  In Tasmania, PICs are assigned by Biosecurity Tasmania following an application process. 
As one component of the broader traceability review, governments are currently examining PIC arrangements with a view to implement a national harmonised property identification system across our primary production sectors.  

These reforms are focused on improving the locational aspects of traceability, harmonising the business rules used to assign PICs and extending the benefits of PICs to other primary production sectors.  For example, the mandatory inclusion of the plant sector is new from a national perspective, although in Tasmania many properties engaged in plant production may already have PICs.

The need for PIC reform has been recognised and strongly supported by the many system participants involved in the recent discussions about Australia’s future traceability requirements.  Now you have an opportunity to provide input on these proposed important reforms.

For more information, and to have your say, please visit the Commonwealth Government Property ID reforms portal:

Please note that the opportunity for feedback closes on the 1 November 2019.

(21/10/2019)
Categories: Cropping; Gene technology; Horticulture; Invasive Species; Livestock; Natural environment; Pasture; Plant diseases; Plant pests; Policy and Legislation; Seeds; Timber imports; Wildlife;

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