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| What's New in Biosecurity
Veterinary Services Subsidy Scheme
October 2009: The State Government has established a subsidy program to help dairy farmers improve or maintain the welfare of their cattle during the current downturn. The subsidy scheme lasts until 30 November 2009 or the program budget of $25,000 is exhausted, whichever is first. More information and application form.
Animal welfare during tough times in the dairy industry
Draft Import Requirement for 'Seed Sowing' Open for Public Comment
A draft Import Requirement (IR 37) , relating to “seeds for sowing” was open for public comment until 19 October 2009. The draft IR applies to all viable seed except animal feed grain or seed for lab testing.
The main intention of the draft IR 37 is to clarify existing conditions and restrictions for importing seed in the Plant Quarantine Manual Tasmania, Edition 2, (PQM Tas). In some cases, variable interpretation about current requirements for seed has led to import practices with potential to result in the introduction of serious pests and diseases to Tasmania. The draft IR 37 sets out the current requirements in a more consolidated and understandable manner.
Also included in the draft IR 37 is a change that applies to seed imports of 1 kg or less. Currently an importer must supply a certificate that indicates the seed is free of any declared weeds, no matter the size of the consignment. The proposed change provides two alternatives for importers of seed of 1kg or less. The seed may either be sourced from an Approved Supplier on the mainland or overseas, or consigned to a Registered Seed Importer in Tasmania. To gain Approved Supplier or Registered Seed Importer status, a business, organisation or person must demonstrate management practices that minimise the risk of declared weed contamination to an acceptable level. Small quantities of seed originating from Approved Suppliers or destined for Registered Seed Importers will not be routinely examined by Quarantine Tasmania. However, any small quantity of seed that is not imported by a Registered Seed Importer or not sourced from an Approved Supplier will be subject to examination at the Tasmanian border – and that may involve lab testing, cleaning, re-export or destruction, as is currently the case.
Please note that this draft IR clarifies the existing import requirements for seeds and introduces the options, outlined above, for importers of small quantities of seed. It is not the result of a recent pest/disease risk analysis for seed. The program of import risk reviews, as per our earlier biosecurity advisory to you, is continuing and some of these reviews will focus on specific pest or disease risks associated with seed imports. Stakeholders will have the opportunity to comment on any proposed changes arising from those import risk reviews, as they occur.
The intention is to finalise IR 37 in time for inclusion in the next version of the PQMTas, due in December 2009. The arrangements for becoming a Registered Seed Importer or an Approved Supplier will be advised when the consultation period for the draft IR37 ends (19 October 2009). Interested parties will be provided ample opportunity to discuss and submit applications.
If you have any queries, please phone (03) 6336 5414 or email biosecurity.policy@dpipwe.tas.gov.au
Gene Technology and Tasmanian Primary Industries 2009-2014
In November 2008 the Tasmanian Government re-affirmed its commitment on a moratorium on the use of GMOs in primary industries in its policy statement, Gene Technology and Tasmanian Primary Industries 2009-2014.
Plant Quarantine Manual Tasmania - Edition 2 - December - 2008
The Plant Quarantine Manual has been updated and is presented in a new format. The manual details the rules relating to the conditions of entry for a wide range of plants and plant products that are imported into Tasmania.
Summary of Tasmanian Quarantine pest declarations since Jan 2006
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