Poppies are a potentially dangerous crop if misused and community safety is an important issue in the regulation of the industry.
The NRE Tas Regulated Crops field officers work on behalf of the Poppy Advisory and Control Board and regularly patrol crops to ensure that security requirements (such as fencing, gates and signs) are upheld.
In March 2025 the Poppy Grower's Licence was amended to improve the process for pre-planting approvals and to provide a contemporary fencing standard with a focus on roadside crop security.
Poppy Fencing Standard
The licensee must ensure that all poppy paddocks comply with the Poppy Fencing Standard set by the Poppy Advisory and Control Board.
The Poppy Fencing Standard sets out the minimum requirements for fencing of alkaloid poppy crops and assists the Poppy Advisory and Control Board to ensure the security of Tasmanian alkaloid poppy crops.
Roadside crops
All roadside alkaloid poppy crops must be within a boundary fence maintained to the following standard:
The fence must be a sufficient fence (as defined in section 4 of the Boundary Fences Act 1908). It must also be stock proof so that it would at all times contain cattle, calves, sheep and lambs, and deter access by unauthorised persons;
Quality: Fences must be kept strained and kept upright. Fences must not lean any further than 10 degrees from the upright;
Gates: Must be kept shut at all times, except when the licensee and associated contractors are working within the paddock boundary; and
Signage: Poppy Safety and Security Signage must be clearly displayed on the boundary fence for the duration of that season’s crop until after harvest, and removed by Regulated Crops staff or as directed.
Guidance
- It is recommended that all new boundary fences installed are 1100mm minimum height.
Non-roadside crops
All non-roadside alkaloid poppy crops must be within an area contained by a boundary fence that meets the criteria above.
Approved by the Poppy Advisory and Control Board on 27 November 2024
What you need to know about the Poppy Fencing Standard
Good fencing is vital for the safety and security of your poppy crop. Your fences, gates and signage must comply with the Poppy Fencing Standard.
Fences and gates must be stock proof, and deter trespassers.
 Compliant: fence is stock proof and deters trespassers.
|  Non-compliant: gate and fence is damaged and would not deter trespassers.
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Fences must be kept strained and upright and not lean any further than 10 degrees from the upright. Compliant: an upright, strained fence |  Non-compliant: leaning fence with fallen fence posts. |
Gates must be kept shut at all times except when you are working in the paddock.
 Compliant: Gate is kept shut at all times |  Non-compliant: Gate is open when no one is working in paddock
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Poppy Safety and Security Signs must be clearly displayed.
Compliant: Poppy Safety Sign is displayed clearly.
|  Non-compliant: Poppy Safety Sign is not displayed clearly.
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Poppy Safety and Security SignsPoppy Safety and Security Signs must be displayed at gates and around the boundaries of a roadside crop, with the warning that entry is prohibited and illegal use of the crop may cause death.
Restricted access
Access to poppy fields is restricted to licence holders and their workers and authorised poppy field officers.
Anyone else who needs to enter a poppy field (for example, to do soil testing or repair equipment or infrastructure) must get permission from the licence holder.
Trespassing
It is an offence under the Police Offences Act 1935 for someone to trespass on another person’s property. This includes trespassing on poppy fields, taking and possessing poppies and poppy materials.
If you see any unusual or suspicious behaviour near poppy crops, please report it immediately to Tasmania Police.