Report Anything Unusual

Watch the extended version of the Report Anything Unusual Biosecurity Basics video

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.

By practicing the Biosecurity Basics you will help protect Tasmania's primary industries, environment and our way of life from the threats of pests, weeds and diseases.

Report Anything Unusual - Animal Diseases

biosecurity basics -report anything unusual - sad cow

Pests and diseases that affect animals can have a major impact on your business, your pets, as well as Tasmania’s native wildlife and our ecosystems.

Some diseases can also be transmitted from animals to people, so it's essential to minimise this risk by practising good personal hygiene, wearing protective clothing, maintaining healthy animals and undertaking preventative treatments and vaccinations where appropriate.

If you notice UNUSUAL signs of disease, abnormal behaviour or unexpected deaths in your livestock, contact your vet as soon as possible. Similarly, always consult your vet if your pets or home livestock are showing signs of disease or abnormal behaviour.

If you SEE signs that may indicate a serious exotic disease (for example foot-and-mouth disease) you should SECURE the site by restricting access, and limit movement of your stock and isolate the sick animals AND, if possible take a photo, noting the location.

You should immediately REPORT the situation to the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888, or call Biosecurity Tasmania on 03 6165 3777.

Report Anything Unusual - Plant Pests and Diseases

biosecurity basics report anything unusual pests and diseases

Australia and Tasmania are fortunate to be free from many of the world’s most damaging plant pests and diseases. Tasmania, as an island state has an added sea barrier to assist in preventing the introduction and establishment of serious plant pests and disease. However, there always remains the risk of a biosecurity incursion, and your vigilance and reporting of a possible exotic plant pest or disease is vital in helping to keep Tasmania free from these biosecurity threats.

Exotic plant pests and diseases can damage our natural environment, destroying our food production and agriculture industries, and some could even change our way of life.

If you suspect that you have found an unusual plant pest or disease, please collect the following information to include in your report if possible:

What you think the plant pest or disease might be?
Where and how you found it (e.g. in your crop, garden or in the surrounding environment)
The type of plant you found the pest or disease on
Photos of the pest or disease. For tips on how to take a good photo, visit the Cesar Australia photo for identification guide.

If you SEE signs that may indicate a plant pest (for example fruit fly), or a plant disease (for example Xylella) you should SECURE the pest if it is safe to do so, double bag a sample of the diseased plant and if possible, take a photo, noting the location.

Please note: Taking samples in the field may increase the risk of spreading the biosecurity risk so Biosecurity Tasmania will provide further instruction regarding possible sample collection and submission.

You should immediately REPORT the situation if you suspect an exotic plant pest or disease to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline (1800 084 881), or call Biosecurity Tasmania on 03 6165 3777.

Report Anything Unusual - Invasive Species

biosecurity basics report anything unusual weeds new

Invasive species are animals, plants, parasites or disease-causing organisms that establish outside their natural range and become pests. Native species can also become invasive if transferred outside their natural range.

Weed species are a significant biosecurity problem. Weeds that have been 'declared' under the Biosecurity Act 2019 could have a significant and adverse impact on Tasmania's productive capacity, natural or physical resources, genetic diversity or ecological processes. Weeds can also make livestock sick and have a negative impact on their production quality.

Weeds can also have a negative impact on your home gardens. There are many examples where home gardeners have sourced plants from interstate and overseas, only to find out that the plant is a weed species and has unfortunately spread and is now impossible to eradicate.

Invasive animals have a major impact on our environment, our primary industries and our way of life. Feral cats, birds, pigs, foxes and rabbits and many others have had a significant impact on Australia and Tasmania’s ecosystems, with many examples of species extinction due to predation and the destruction of native habitats by invasive species.

There are also a number of invasive species that could have a devastating impact on Tasmania's freshwater ecosystems, native fish and plants. Didymo or “rock snot” for example spreads quickly, forming massive blooms in waterways or lake edges and can have a significant impact on the insect life that many species of fish rely on for food. It takes only one didymo cell in a single drop of water for the algae to spread between waterways.

If you SEE what you think is an invasive species, you should SECURE the pest if it is safe to do so, take a prhotograph and record the location and REPORT this to Biosecurity Tasmania on 03 6165 3777 or contact your local council.

Know your general biosecurity duty

Find out how you can meet your general biosecurity duty (GBD) when you see something that appears unusual or out of place and could pose a serious biosecurity risk to our State.

Here are some related profiles that will help you better understand how you can meet your general biosecurity duty: