Get to know the Biosecurity Basics
By getting to know and following the Biosecurity Basics you will be playing your role in helping protect Tasmania’s primary industries, economy, environment and way of life from the adverse impacts of pests, weeds and diseases.
We all have a role to play in protecting Tasmania from biosecurity risks – in fact it is a General Biosecurity Duty that we ALL need to know and follow.
The
General Biosecurity Duty (GBD) is an important element of Tasmania’s Biosecurity Act 2019. 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.
The Biosecurity Basics are simple, yet practical actions you can take; whether you live in Tasmania or if you are visiting our beautiful island state.
So, what are the Bioscurity Basics and what do they mean for you?
Check Your Bags
Be careful what you bring to Tasmania.
Tasmania has some of the world's most stringent biosecurity requirements. Please help us protect Tasmania from introduced pests, weeds and diseases by ensuring that when you are returning home or visiting our state you are not carrying or importing any restricted or prohibited materials.
The introduction of a pest, weed or disease into a production area can result in expensive controls being implemented and loss of trade markets, which can cost primary industries and the community millions of dollars.
So, when you are preparing to visit, or return to Tasmania, be sure to
CHECK YOUR BAGS!
Come in Clean
Be sure to arrive in Tasmania with clean clothing, gear and equipment.
Without you realising it you may be posing a risk to Tasmania’s biosecurity with dirt or other contaminants like seeds or diseases that you may have brought with you to Tasmania! These potential contaminants could be lurking on the bottom of your shoes, or in the mud caked on your caravan, trailer, ute, farm equipment or recreational gear like a mountain bike, fishing or golfing gear.
Be sure to thoroughly clean your clothes, gear and equipment before travelling to Tasmania. The threat posed to Tasmania from foot-and-mouth disease is a timely reminder of how vital it is to ensure that when you return from places like Indonesia/Bali, that you remember to
COME IN CLEAN.
Find out how you can meet your General Biosecurity Duty in this example of the importance of thoroughly cleaning your bushwalking or fly fishing gear before visiting or returning to Tasmania:
Bushwalking and fly-fishing enthusiast - GBD example.
Stay on the Path
Do not enter properties or private land without permission.
If you are out and about visiting primary production properties and facilities around Tasmania, it is vital that you DO NOT ENTER these areas without first seeking the owner or managers’ permission.
You might see a cute lamb in a paddock and have an urge to jump the fence to get a selfie for your social media feed. Or perhaps you are visiting an orchard or vineyard and want to pose next to the vines or an apple tree to get that perfect photographic memory to share of your visit. So please resist the temptation of entering a property or production area without permission and avoid the risk of introducing a pest, weed or disease to the property.
If you are trekking through Tasmania’s many scenic parks and reserves, it is vital that you stay on formed paths and tracks.
So, please respect the biosecurity protocols and biosecurity plans of owners, operators and managers, and STAY ON THE PATH and seek prior approval before entering.
You also have a General Biosecurity Duty as an
agricultural contractor,
utility services provider or
agricultural tourism operator to respect the owner or managers biosecurity plans and not enter a property without permission.
Report Anything Unusual
See it. Secure it. Report it.
Your vigilance is vital by keeping an eye out for anything that may appear unusual or out of place and could represent a serious biosecurity risk to Tasmania. Do not hesitate to report anything unusual to Biosecurity Tasmania.
If you SEE something that is unusual, for example a sick farm animal, an insect that looks like a fruit fly, a plant disease or an invasive weed or animal – note the location and/or SECURE the insect, take a photo - or isolate the sick animal.
Then REPORT it as soon as possible to Biosecurity Tasmania, or your vet, in the case of signs of a suspected animal disease.
Download a copy of the Biosecurity Basics Brochure
We all have a role to play - so do your bit to help protect Tasmania and
REPORT ANYTHING UNUSUAL.