The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) has approved the use of antibiotic, Florfenicol to treat Piscirickettsia salmonis in salmon.
Florfenicol is an antibiotic that has previously been used in Tasmania in small quantities between 2007 and 2010. Veterinary science supports its effectiveness in managing this disease.
Regulatory Oversight
Before administering Florfenicol, salmon producers must notify:
The Environment Protection Authority (EPA), and
Biosecurity Tasmania, part of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania (NRE Tas).
These agencies are responsible for ensuring the safe and responsible use of antibiotics in marine farming:
EPA oversees environmental monitoring to ensure antibiotic use does not cause harm to marine ecosystems.
NRE Tas administers the Biosecurity Program: Tasmanian Salmonid Industry, and enforces the Tasmanian Primary Produce Safety Act 2011 and the Primary Produce Safety (Seafood) Regulations 2023, which govern food safety standards in seafood production.
Both regulators will undertake compliance and monitoring activities related to the use of Florfenicol.
For more information read the Regulator Notice: Antibiotic Treatment - Administration of Florfenicol
Current treatment locations can be found here: LISTmap - Land Information System Tasmania