Biosecurity for New and Small Landholders and Hobby Farmers

Biosecurity is everyone's responsibility. Whether you are smallholder or hobby farmer, large scale commercial producer, or new to the business of small or large scale farming – planning for and implementing effective biosecurity practices on your property is vital. A weed, pest or disease incursion on your property could irreparably damage your business - but could also quickly spread to adjoining properties. For the sake of your business, your neighbours' businesses and indeed the State's economy, way of life and our environment – please take your biosecurity responsibilities seriously.

It is important for new smallholder or hobby farmers to understand biosecurity issues, as this can affect not just themselves but everyone else in the community. All landholders - small, new and commercial - need to take their biosecurity and animal welfare responsibilities seriously. The following web pages and documents provide some basic information to help you understand these responsibilities in weed management, plant diseases, animal management, movement and sale of animals and governance of food safety regarding animal products.

General biosecurity information

General Biosecurity Duty

The Biosecurity Act 2019 introduced in Tasmania a new legal obligation known as the general biosecurity duty – or GBD.

The Act emphasises the importance of shared responsibilities and the need for Government, industry and the community to work together to maintain a strong biosecurity system.

In simple terms, the GBD reinforces that everyone has a role to play in protecting our unique environment and primary industries against biosecurity risks.

Introduction to biosecurity

An introductory guide to Tasmania's biosecurity system has been developed or for more detailed information visit Biosecurity Tasmania.

A Beginner's Guide to Tasmania's Biosecurity System (437Kb)

Factsheets have been provided below to help you develop a plan for your property and visitors to your property

Property Owners' Guide to Biosecurity Factsheet (344Kb)

Biosecurity Practices for Property Visitors Factsheet (338Kb)

Subscribing to Biosecurity Tasmania's Advisories is the best way you can keep yourself up to date and full informated about Tasmanian biosecurity issues. The Advisories cover topics such as changes or proposed changes to import regulations, animal health and welfare, plant health, regulation reviews and expressions for public comment and new and emerging pest/disease risks.

Further information from NRE Tas

Food Safety provides extensive information on what is expected in food production and outlines the legislative controls existing for specific commodities.
Several Plant Biosecurity resource materials are listed below.

Plant Biosecurity Manual
Importing Plants
Plant Pest and Diseases
Plant Pest Surveillance
Plant Health Laboratories and services
General Biosecurity Duty

Weeds contains a comprehensive suite of information covering declared and non-declared weeds, control guides, statutory management plans, together with additional links and resources
You may be required to register your property (Property Identification Code) and animals as part of the National Livestock Identification Scheme (NLIS). Livestock Identification provides you with further information and the links for registration for PIC and NLIS.
Living Next Door to a Farmer is an awareness campaign which commenced in 2019. The project objective is to educate and engage the community, with the aim to foster good neighbourly relations between farmers and residents in new and existing peri-urban locations.