Important Biosecurity Actions

Biosecurity vigilance (also known as Notification of a Biosecurity Event)​

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.

• Regularly check gates, fences and enclosures and repair any damage to prevent the escape or entry of livestock or other animals.​
  
  

• Register your property with a Property Identification Code (PIC).​ ​Owners of a property with one or more head of cattle, sheep, goats or pigs, or that commercially farm poultry for meat or eggs, must apply for a PIC. Owners of properties with animals such as horses and alpacas, or that are engaging in any form of primary industries enterprise are strongly encouraged to register for a PIC. Your PIC should be updated at least bi-annually, or as your specific​ situation changes.
  

Pests, weeds and diseases

• Understand your responsibilities in the control of declared weeds​ on the land that you manage and take all reasonable measures to limit their impact and spread. Visit the webpages for further information on weeds in Tasmania. 
  

• To reduce the risk of common garden plants (or aquarium plants) becoming environmental weeds – consider composing all green waste within your own contained composting system to be used again on your property or, alternatively, utilise council green waste bins and facilities. Do not illegally dump green waste into the environment.
  

• Work with licenced pest controllers and NRE Tas, where required, in the control and management of pest animals, such as European rabbits and other invasive species​​​​​​​, on your property.
  

• Ensure that agricultural and veterinary chemicals are used as per label, or applicable off-label permit (i.e. appropriately to minimise risk to human health, animal health, plant health and the environment). Find out more about AgVet chemical use in Tasmania. ​​
  

• Carrying a basic, personal biosecurity kit is a good way of decontaminating vehicles, clothing and equipment. Recommended contents and instructions on putting a kit together can be found at the Farm Biosecurity website.​
  

• Ensure that visitors are made aware of any biosecurity requirements on the land you manage, including completion of sign-in logs if required and the need for good vehicle, equipment, clothing and personal hygiene when travelling within and between sites.
  

Importing items into Tasmania

• If you are purchasing goods from outside Tasmania for the land that you manage (such as seeds or plants) you can check the Biosecurity Tasmania website as to any import restrictions or requirements.
  
  

• All imported plants and many of their products must be presented to Biosecurity Tasmania for inspection at an Approved Quarantine Place (AQP). It is the responsibility of the importer to determine an appropriate AQP and make a booking for inspection with Biosecurity Tasmania once the AQP has confirmed they will accept the consignment.
  
  

• If you are importing equipment or machinery, you need to take all reasonable and practicable measures to ensure that they are cleaned and free of all soil, seeds and plant matter prior to arriving in Tasmania, as per Import Requirement 39 in the Plant Biosecurity Manual Tasmania. Please note, some machinery may need to meet additional requirements.
  
  

• ​ If you are importing seeds in consignments under 1kg as per Import Requirement 36 in the Plant Biosecurity Manual Tasmania​, ensure that they are sourced from an approved supplier, or consider applying to become a registered importer if you plan on importing seeds on a regular basis.
  

​Contact and reporting details