​A general biosecurity direction is a direction that applies to the public generally or to a specified class of persons. A general biosecurity direction may be  issued by publication on the NRE Tas website or in the Tasmanian Government Gazette. It is an offence for a person to contravene a biosecurity direction (penalty of 2500 penalty units for a body corporate and 500 penalty units for a natural person).

Below is a compiled list of all current general biosecurity directions that have been issued under section 192 of the Biosecurity Act 2019 and are currently in force. An archive of general biosecurity directions that have been issued but are no longer in force is also provided.

Bees, Apiary Products and Used Apiary Equipment - General Biosecurity Direction (Emergency)

Due to the ongoing response to Varroa mite (Varroa destructor) in NSW, the Tasmanian Chief Plant Protection Officer has put in place an extension to General Biosecurity Direction (Emergency) to further prevent the introduction of this honeybee parasite into Tasmania.

 General Biosecurity Direction (Emergency) bees, bee products and equipment (PDF 89Kb)

Livestock Traceability

The Chief Veterinary Officer has determined that the current risk posed to Tasmania from foot-and-mouth disease and lumpy skin disease requires the issue of a General Biosecurity Direction requiring the owners of sheep and goats to notify the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) database and in the case of pigs, Pig Pass, of the movements of their animals.

 General Biosecurity Direction - Livestock Traceability (PDF 409Kb) (issued 06/07/2022 - extended to 06/07/2023)

Small Hive Beetle

Tasmania's Chief Plant Protection Officer declared a General Biosecurity Direction, which establishes a 15 km Bee Movement Restriction Area around the detection site, restricting the movement of bees and bee products within, into and out of the zone. On the 21 April 2023, the 15 km Bee Movement Restriction Area as declared in the General Biosecurity Direction was reduced to a 10 km radius.

 General Biosecurity Direction (Small Hive Beetle) 21 April 2023 (PDF 388Kb) (issued 21/04/2023, expires 21/10/2023)

Potato virus necrotic strain

The Potato virus necrotic strain (PVY^NTN) has been detected in several potato crops (Maranca variety) along Tasmania’s east coast and in the Northern Midlands.
This virus causes tuber necrotic ringspot disease, which can result in unsightly rings on the tubers and can result in potatoes being rejected due to poor quality. The virus is spread by aphids, planting infected tubers and through contact with plant sap from cut or damaged foliage and tuber tissue.
While PVY^NTN cannot be eradicated, it can be managed. PVY^NTN was detected in Tasmania in 2021 in a small crop of Kipfler potatoes around Cressy. Although the source was unknown, it was effectively managed by interstate export and the destruction of tubers and spraying of regrowth potatoes in post-harvest paddocks, however it is suspected the virus is now present in low levels in the Tasmanian environment.

A General Biosecurity Direction has been issued in relation to this detection.(31/03/2023)

 General Biosecurity Direction - Potato virus Y NTN strain (PDF 56Kb)

Expired Directions

General Biosecurity Directions - Apiaries - Issued 15/12/2021, expired 15/12/2022

General Biosecurity Direction - Foot and Mouth Disease and Lumpy Skin Disease - Issued 13/07/2022, expired 13/01/2023

General Biosecurity Direction - Small Hive Beetle - Issued 8/03/2023, expired 21/04/2023