What is foxglove (Digitalis species)?
Foxgloves are plants of the Digitalis genus. There are around 23 species of Digitalis, commonly known as foxgloves. They are biennial or perennial herbs, known for their tall flowering spikes. Several species have been cultivated for use as garden plants.
Foxgloves originate from Europe, the Mediterranean Region and Canary Islands.
Foxgloves are popular ornamental plants in Tasmania.
Common foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) is a widespread weed in Tasmania.
Why is foxglove a declared pest?
A weed risk assessment of the Digitalis genus found that Digitalis species pose a substantial weed risk for Tasmania. This is demonstrated by the invasive distribution of common foxglove in the State.
Digitalis species are both environmental and agricultural weeds. They impact on conservation values, excluding native ground-layer vegetation, altering species composition and reducing biodiversity. They will also invade unimproved pasture, replacing more valuable forage species and reducing pasture productivity. Foxgloves are also toxic to humans and animals.
The objective of the declaration is to prevent the introduction of new Digitalis species into Tasmania, minimise spread of Digitalis species within the State, and protect high priority areas in the State from the impacts of foxglove.
Are there legislative requirements for foxglove in Tasmania?
Yes. All sexually reproductive Digitalis species, varieties, hybrids and cultivars are declared pests under the Biosecurity Act 2019 and the Biosecurity Regulations 2022.
It is a legal requirement to manage and control of foxgloves within designated areas in Tasmania. The Biosecurity Act 2019 also prohibits the importation, sale and trade of foxgloves, which applies to all parts of the plant.
What is the Biosecurity Act 2019?
The Biosecurity Act 2019 is an act of parliament to provide for the protection and enhancement of Tasmania's biosecurity status for the benefit of Tasmania's industries, environment and public wellbeing by providing for the prevention, detection and control of animal and plant disease, pests and other biosecurity matter.
What are the Biosecurity Regulations 2022 and how do they relate to the Biosecurity Act 2019?
The Biosecurity Regulations 2022 (the Regulations) is a piece of delegated (subordinate) legislation introduced to support the primary legislation, the Biosecurity Act 2019 (the Act). The main purpose of subordinate legislation is to prescribe technical details that extend the provisions of the Act. Specific regulatory requirements are prescribed in the regulations, including the declarations of pests and prohibited dealings in relation to pests.
The Act and the Regulations proclaimed under the Act, form the biosecurity legislative framework for Tasmania.
What is the Foxglove (Digitalis) Biosecurity Program?
The Foxglove (Digitalis) Biosecurity Program (the Program) is a government biosecurity program developed by Biosecurity Tasmania in consultation with stakeholders. It provides the legislative framework for the control and management of foxglove in Tasmania. It describes how the Act and the Regulations should be implemented with respect to Digitalis species.
Does the declaration cover the whole state?
Yes. The statewide declaration prohibits the importation, supply and sale, propagation, and release or spread of all sexually reproductive Digitalis species, varieties, hybrids and cultivars. See prohibited dealings for more information.
The control and management of foxglove is required within designated areas.
Are all foxglove species declared pests?
All sexually reproductive Digitalis species, varieties, hybrids and cultivars are declared pests.
The declaration recognises the potential risk other Digitalis species may pose to Tasmania's natural environment and agricultural industries.
Sterile varieties, hybrids and cultivars of Digitalis are not declared pests and are not subject to legislative requirements. See the foxglovewebpage for a list.
Why is the management and control of foxglove required in designated areas?
Common foxglove is widely established in Tasmania and eradication of the species from anything, but limited areas of the State is not feasible.
The Program aims to strike a balance between protecting important environmental values and agricultural assets, whilst at the same time not diverting resources away from other high priority weed species in areas for which eradication is the target.
Am I required to control foxglove on my property?
If your property is within a designated area, you have legal obligations to control or manage foxglove. See what is a designated area for more information.
Foxglove plants present in garden settings outside of a designated area are not affected by this declaration.
Are State land managers and councils required to control or manage foxglove?
Yes, public land managers in Tasmania are required to manage or control foxglove on land within their jurisdiction, if that land is within a designated area. State land managers and councils can use the Foxglove (Digitalis) Biosecurity Program to implement measures to control and manage foxglove.
What does the General Biosecurity Duty (GBD) mean in relation to foxglove?
The GBD supports the principle of shared responsibility and means everyone is doing what is reasonable to prevent, eliminate or minimise biosecurity risks.
A person has a duty (the GBD) to take all reasonable and practical measures to prevent, eliminate or minimise biosecurity risk when dealing with biosecurity matter if the person knows or reasonably ought to know that the biosecurity matter, carrier or dealing poses a biosecurity risk.
Whilst the regulation of Digitalis is through the establishment of strategic designated areas that protect areas of value, such as nature reserves and the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area, it does not remove a person's general biosecurity duty to prevent or remove any biosecurity risk the presence of Digitalis may be causing in areas other than the Digitalis designated areas.
Are there penalties for having foxglove on my property?
If your property falls within a designated area, you will obligations to manage and control foxglove as set by the Foxglove (Digitalis) Biosecurity Program. See what is a designated area for more information.
An authorised officer can direct a land holder to undertake measures to manage and prevent spread of foxglove. Failure to comply with these directions may lead to an infringement.
Is eradication of foxglove possible?
Common foxglove (D. purpurea) is widely established in Tasmania and eradication of the species from anything, but limited areas of the State is not feasible.
Where is foxglove found in Tasmania?
Common foxglove is a well-established environmental weed in Tasmania and is found in locations across most parts of the State.
Is foxglove toxic?
Yes. All parts of foxglove plants are extremely toxic to humans and animals.
Anyone treating or handling foxglove should take measures to minimise direct and indirect physical contact, including ingestion through mouth and absorption through eyes and skin.
If any part of the plant is ingested immediately call the Poisons Information Centre on 131 126.
Can I keep a foxglove if it's in my garden?
If your garden is within a designated area you will need to manage any non-sterile foxglove plants in line with Class A – eradication, or Class B – containment, requirements
Existing foxglove plants present in gardens settings outside of designated areas are not affected by this declaration. However, you must not trade with other persons any reproductive foxglove material (e.g. seeds or cuttings).
If you remove foxglove from your garden, ensure that you take precautions to prevent further spread of the plant.
Can I still buy declared foxglove plants?
No. All sexual reproductive Digitalis species, varieties, hybrids and cultivars are prohibited from sale and trade under the legislation.
Sterile varieties, hybrids and cultivars of Digitalis are not declared pests and are not subject to legislative requirements. See the Foxglovewebage for a list.
How do I report foxglove?
If you believe you have identified a Digitalis species other than D. purpurea, please report it to Biosecurity Tasmania on 03 6165 3777.
What are designated areas and weed management classes?
A designated area requires foxglove to be eradicated or controlled. These are mostly focused in and around high conservation value areas like the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.
Designated areas are categorised into weed control classes:
- Class A designated areas: require actions to eradicate foxglove.
- Class B designated areas: require actions to contain foxglove infestations
An interactive map showing the designated areas for foxglove management is available here.
What is a designated purpose?
A designated purpose refers to specific measures to prevent, eliminate or minimise, biosecurity risk or impact when dealing with biosecurity matter or a carrier. A designated purpose would be used to allow for control of a pest that is not the subject of statewide declaration or present in a designated area. Examples include agricultural activities with limited capacity to implement normal control measures being impacted by a pest from neighbouring areas.
What is the legal status of foxglove in my area?
An interactive map showing the designated areas and management classes for foxglove is available here.
The designated area intersects my property. What do I do?
If a designated area boundary cuts through your property where Digitalis is present, an assessment will be made by an authorised officer as to the location and extent of the infestation, and a determination will be made as to the appropriate measures required. This will be on a case-by-case basis. As a guide, if the majority of the property falls within a designated area, then measures consistent with relevant class will be applied.
Can I remove foxglove myself or do I need professional assistance?
Yes, you can remove foxglove from your property yourself. See Foxglove Management and Control for more information.
Anyone handling foxglove should minimise direct and indirect physical contact, including ingestion through mouth and absorption through eyes and skin.
Can I bring declared foxgloves into Tasmania?
No. If you want to import a declared weed you will need to apply for a permit.
Applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis, considering the situation and risk of potential spread. Must meet the conditions of the permit.
Can I bring medicine containing foxglove into Tasmania?
Foxglove plants contain cardiac glycosides which are used in medication for the treatment of heart conditions. Products containing these medical derivates are allowed in cases where no reproductive parts of the plant are included.
Was there consultation on the declaration?
Biosecurity Tasmania sought feedback from stakeholders on the declaration of the Digitalis species. Submissions were used to inform the Foxglove (Digitalis) Biosecurity Program.
When and how will the Biosecurity Program be reviewed?
A review of the Program may be undertaken at any time at the request of the Secretary, Natural Resources an Environment Tas. This model for a declaration of a weed species is new, as is the concept of a 'Biosecurity Program'.
Biosecurity Tasmania will monitor and review the Program to assess the effectiveness of the prescribed measures (including designated areas, designated purposes and sale and trade), and evaluate the degree to which the desired outcomes of the Program are being met and will adapt accordingly. This will involve liaison with key stakeholders as necessary.
Where can I get further information?
More information is available:
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