Phase 2 public consultation on revised draft Tasmanian Primary Produce Safety (Horticulture Produce) Regulations 2026 is now closed.
Go to the Regulations consultation webpage to read the revised draft Regulations.
What are the draft Regulations proposing?
Phase 1 feedback from stakeholders in 2025 has informed the revised draft Regulations.
The key changes include:
a proposed tiered accreditation and fee model,
the introduction of a 'notification' category,
exclusion of nursery stock from regulation.
The following intent for the Regulations remains unchanged:
the adoption of Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) Primary Production and Processing (PPP) Standards in Tasmania,
the establishment of new food safety schemes for berries, leafy greens, and melons – as already in place in Tasmania for meat, poultry, seed sprouts, eggs and seafood.
Why do we need Regulations for berries, leafy vegetables and melons?
Food Standards Australia New Zealand has introduced three new Primary Production and Processing (PPP) Standards for Berries, Leafy Vegetables and Melons into the national Food Standards Code. These Standards took effect from 12 February 2025.
Implementation of these standards in Tasmania supports nationally consistent food safety practices that are detailed in the Chapter 4, Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code.
To implement these standards in Tasmania, new Regulations are required.
Is Tasmania the only state or territory where Standards for Berries, Leafy Vegetables and Melons are being implemented?
No. Regulation for berries, leafy vegetables and melons has already commenced in some jurisdictions.
Other jurisdictions, including Tasmania, are at various stages of development and public consultation on draft Regulations that adopt these Standards.
Does Tasmania apply national food safety standards to other commodities?
Yes. Tasmania already regulates meat, poultry, seed sprouts, eggs and seafood.
The proposed food safety scheme for berries, leafy vegetables and melons is similar.
What is meant by Berries?
Berries are defined in the Primary Production and Processing (PPP) Standard 4.2.7 as fresh berries; and include berries such as strawberries, blueberries, and berries from the genus Rubus.
In addtion to the above, other examples of berries include, but not limited to: raspberries, blackberries, boysenberry, loganberry, silvanberry and youngberry.
What is meant by Leafy Vegetables?
Leafy vegetables are defined in the Primary Production and Processing (PPP) Standard 4.2.8 as vegetables of a leafy nature where the leaf is consumed raw; and includes baby leaves, lettuce, and leafy herbs; and does not include seed sprouts (covered in PPP Standard 4.2.6).
Examples of leafy vegetables include, but are not limited to: all lettuces (iceberg (crisphead), rocket, romaine (cos), red leaf, butterhead, endive, oak leaf, watercress, raddachio, baby leaf, battavia, all other loose-leaf lettuces), kale, chicory, watercress, swiss chard, Asian leafy greens (e.g. bok choy), all leafy herbs consumed raw (e.g. parsley, basil, coriander, dill, fennel leaves, mint, thyme, rosemary, oregano, marjoram, chives), spring onions, microgreens, spinach leaves, silverbeet and cabbage.
Examples of vegetables that are not considered leafy vegetables include: broccoli, broccolini, cauliflower, asparagus, artichoke, root and tuber vegetables, bulb vegetables, brussel sprouts, kohlrabi, cucumbers, peppers, eggplant, rhubarb, squash, celery and leek.
What is meant by Melons?
Melons are defined in the Primary Production and Processing (PPP) Standard 4.2.9 as fresh melons; and includes watermelon, rockmelon, honeydew melon and piel de sapo.
In addition to the above, other examples of melons include, but are not limited to: galia melon, charentais melon, Korean melon, hami melon.
What will it cost to become accredited?
Accreditation fees for Accredited Producers (Category 1 & Category 2) and GFSI-certified businesses are provided in Schedule 1 of the Regulations:
Table 1 - Proposed fee units from Schedule 1 of draft Regulations
* Fee amounts are based on a fee unit of $1.96 (FY 2026/27). The value of fee units are set by the Fee Units Act 1997. All fees are subject to legislated annual increases for CPI.
Note: Application fees will be waived for current producers applying for accreditation within the initial 4 months after implementation of the Regulations.
Will I need to pay an annual fee?
A tiered fee structure has been provided for public feedback during the Phase 2 consultation period.
The fees for Accredited Producers and GFSI-certified businesses appear in Schedule 1 of the Regulations.
Note: non-fee paying groups are also included here for clarity.
Table 2 - Proposed annual fees from Schedule 1 of draft Regulations.
Category
| Description
| Annual Fee*
|
Accredited producer – Category 1
| Leafy vegetables and melons producers 1-5 ha
| Small category - 175 fee units
|
Accredited producer – Category 2
| Leafy vegetables and melons producers >5 ha
| Medium category - 350 fee units Large category - 750 fee units
|
GFSI-certified business | Leafy vegetables and melons only
| Small, medium and large categories - based on cultivated area or FTE (as above)
|
Notification - leafy vegetables and melons (< 1ha)
| Leafy vegetable and melons producers less than 1 ha
| No annual fee
|
Notification - berries
| Any producer of berries only regardless of size or scale, including GFSI-certified businesses
| No annual fee
|
Home Horticulture Activity
| For home use (non-commercial) | No annual fee
|
* Fee amounts are based on a fee unit of $1.96 (FY 2026/27). The value of fee units are set by the Fee Units Act 1997. All fees are subject to legislated annual increases for CPI.
I grow berries, leafy vegetables and/or melons for commercial purposes – what do the changes mean for me?
Primary producers of berries, leafy vegetables and melons need to comply with the relevant Primary Production and Processing (PPP) Standards.
There will be different requirements based on the activity businesses engage in – you can find the proposed requirements on the Supporting Information page.
I grow berries, leafy vegetables and/or melons at home – do the proposed Regulations affect me?
If you grow berries, leafy vegetables and/or melons for your own consumption at home:
You will not need to be accredited.
Notification to Biosecurity Tasmania is optional.
There are no registration or annual fees for home horticulture activity.
However, if you are undertaking home horticulture activity and would like to supply excess produce (e.g. at a roadside stall or to a business), you will need to notify Biosecurity Tasmania of your business details and proposed activities. Leafy vegetable and melon producers must also submit a food safety program. Template forms will be made available prior to the implementation of the Regulations.
When will the changes take effect?
The Primary Production and Processing (PPP) Standards for Berries, Leafy Vegetables and Melons of the national Food Standards Code have been in place since 12 February 2025.
Once the new regulations commence there will be 12-month transition period. The focus will be on education and facilitating compliance, as well as recognising existing industry schemes that enable businesses to demonstrate compliance with the Standards.
Why are these proposed Regulations important?
Tasmania enjoys a reputation for growing produce that is enjoyed by both locals and people all over the world.
If produce becomes contaminated, for example microbiologically or chemically, it may cause foodborne illness, result in financial losses for industry and may impact market access.
These Regulations will help ensure that our producers comply with national PPP Standards for berries, leafy vegetables and melons, as are already in place in Tasmania for meat, poultry, seed sprouts, eggs and seafood.
While new Regulations will mean some changes for growers, they will also help to ensure that the Tasmanian produce we enjoy is safe for consumers in our communities, and that our producers can continue to maintain market access and remain competitive through meeting nationally consistent requirements.
That's why having a strong primary produce food safety system is important. We know that protecting Tasmanian produce, industries and communities is worth it.
Will my submission be published?Yes. We will publish your submission and name unless you asked us to keep part or all of it confidential.
We never publish personal details like your phone number, email, or address.
If you didn't clearly state that your submission (or parts of it) is confidential, we will treat it as public information.
What happens with my feedback?
The Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania (NRE Tas) will analyse and interpret all submissions. Then we compile the findings into a consultation report, which we will publish on the Regulations consultation webpage.
Your feedback will help ensure that the final Regulations are fit for purpose and help balance requirements for producers with the need to ensure that the Tasmanian produce we enjoy is safe for consumers to eat.
Where do I find the draft revised Regulations?
Go to the Regulations consultation webpage to read the revised draft regulations and learn how to have your say.
Who can I contact for more information?
We're here to help. Contact us by phone or email:
Phone: 1300 368 550
Email: product.integrity@nre.tas.gov.au