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| Horehound - Statutory Weed Management PlanMarrubium vulgare L.  | | Check the Weeds Index for more information on this and other weeds |
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Interpretation:
In this weed management plan (approved 30 August 2003):
- “Act” means the Weed Management Act 1999.
- “Approved quarantine place” means a place approved by the Secretary under section 70 of the Plant Quarantine Act 1997 for the purpose of examining any prescribed matter imported into or to be exported out of the State.
- “Court fine’ means a prescribed penalty for breaches against the Act. Court fines may be imposed if a person is convicted of any offence against the Act.
- “DPIWE” means the Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment, Tasmania.
- “Infringement fine” means a prescribed penalty for breaches against the Act. Infringement fines are imposed by way of an infringement notice that may be issued by a Weed Inspector.
- “Inspector” means a Weed Inspector appointed under section 34 of the Act.
- “Penalty unit” means the basic unit of the fine for which persons who fail to comply with any prohibition or requirement under the Act may be liable. One penalty unit equals $100 at April 2002.
- “Quarantine Tasmania” means that branch of the Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment that, in cooperation with the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service, maintains both overseas and interstate quarantine barriers for this state.
- “Regional Weed Management Officer” means a person employed in the Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment under that specific title.
- “Regulations” means the Weed Management Regulations 2000.
- “Secretary” means the Secretary of the Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment.
- “Zone A” includes those Tasmanian municipalities for which eradication of a declared weed is the principal management objective. These municipalities are either free of the declared weed, host only small, isolated infestations, or host larger infestations which are deemed eradicable because a strategic management plan exists and the resources required to implement it have been or are likely to be secured. See Attachment 1 for detail.
- “Zone B” includes those Tasmanian municipalities for which containment of the declared weed is the principal management objective. Such municipalities host large, widespread infestations of the declared weed that are not deemed eradicable because the feasibility of effective management is low at this time. These municipalities lack a strategic management plan for the weed and/or resources to undertake control actions at a level required for eradication have not been secured. See Attachment 1 for detail.
- “Horehound” means Marrubium vulgare L. and includes the whole plant or plant parts. It does not include products such as tablets, lotions, tinctures or other preparations that contain extracts of this plant or other dead, non-reproductive Marrubium vulgare materials. People who are uncertain about whether products (eg. dried materials) contain plant parts capable of producing a living plant should contact a Regional Weed Management Officer.
1. Purpose of this management plan:
The purpose of this weed management plan for horehound is to:- Provide direction upon the implementation of the Act with respect to horehound.
- Encourage and facilitate an increase in the effectiveness with which horehound is managed throughout Tasmania.
- Provide legislative support to regional and local efforts to manage horehound in a strategic and integrated manner.
2. Area covered by this management plan:
The State of Tasmania is covered by this management plan. Refer to Attachment 1, Application of the weed management plan for horehound, for direction on how this plan is to be implemented in Zone A and Zone B municipalities in Tasmania.
3. Description and distribution of the weed:
Horehound is a bushy, aromatic, perennial herb that may grow to 30-75 cm high.
This plant has become a weed in temperate areas throughout the world. On the Australian mainland, horehound is a widespread weed of agricultural areas and roadsides in South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales. It also occurs in Western Australia and southern Queensland.
Horehound is widely distributed in Tasmania, being found virtually everywhere except the West Coast and South-West regions. Its preferred habitats generally have well drained soils and include neglected areas, roadsides and degraded pastures. The most severe infestations occur in the southern Midlands and the Coal and Fingal Valleys. Significant populations of this weed also occur in the Central Highlands and Northern Midlands.
4. Importation of declared weed:
(1) A person must not import or allow to be imported into Tasmania any horehound.
It is an offence against section 57(1) of the Act to fail to comply with this prohibition. A person found committing that offence may incur an infringement fine of 4 penalty units. A person convicted in court of that offence may be liable to a fine not exceeding 50 penalty units.
The Secretary may exempt a person from this prohibition under section 60 of the Act.
Refer to Attachment 1, Application of the weed management plan for horehound, for direction on how this prohibition is to be implemented in Zone A and Zone B municipalities in Tasmania.
Actions to assist compliance in this matter could include but are not limited to the following:
- Persons travelling to Tasmania, in particular from areas infested with horehound, such as Victoria, South Australia and News South Wales, should conduct thorough searches for the presence of the plant and apply appropriate hygiene measures. These include clothing, vehicle, machinery and baggage inspection and cleaning. Questions or concerns about weed hygiene issues should be directed to Quarantine Tasmania personnel before or directly upon disembarkation in Tasmania.
- Persons importing herbal plants for the purpose of propagation or harvesting should ensure their stock does not include horehound.
- Persons importing items to Tasmania that may contain horehound should have these checked for the presence of the plant. This can be arranged through Quarantine Tasmania.
(2) A person must not import any livestock that may be carrying horehound otherwise than in accordance with any measures prescribed under the Regulations.
It is an offence against section 57(3) of the Act to fail to comply with this prohibition. A person found committing this offence may incur an infringement fine of 4 penalty units. A person convicted of that offence in court may be liable to a fine not exceeding 50 penalty units.
The Secretary may exempt a person from this prohibition under section 60 of the Act.
The prescribed measures for importing stock under regulation 5 of the Regulations are as follows:
a) the length of hairs in the coat is not to exceed 25 mm;
b) seeds are not to adhere to the coat or anywhere else on the livestock;
c) a permit for importation is obtained from the Secretary, DPIWE;
d) importation is direct to an approved facility for slaughter.
Actions to assist compliance in this matter could include but are not limited to the following:
- Persons importing livestock to Tasmania should liaise with suppliers on the subject of possible horehound contamination of stock.
- Persons purchasing livestock imported from areas infested with horehound should ensure their animals are confined to holding pens until they have undergone thorough external inspections and complete bowel evacuation. Pens should be checked subsequently for the emergence of horehound.
- Anyone importing stock to Tasmania should make him/herself familiar with regulation 5 of the Regulations.
Note: The importation of this species into Tasmania is also restricted under the Plant Quarantine Act 1997. Quarantine Tasmania should be contacted for information on the relevance and application of the Plant Quarantine Act 1997 to activities concerning plant species.
5. Procedures for notification of the occurrence of the weed:
Inspectors shall notify a Regional Weed Management Officer of any horehound occurrences in municipalities where the weed is not yet recorded. Refer to Table 1. Zone A municipalities, horehound, 09/03 and Table 2. Zone B municipalities, horehound, 09/02.
Refer to Attachment 1, Application of the weed management plan for horehound, for direction on how notification is to be implemented in Zone A and Zone B municipalities in Tasmania.
6. Sale of declared weed:
A person must not sell or otherwise distribute any horehound or any thing carrying horehound.
It is an offence against section 56 of the Act to fail to comply with this prohibition. A person found committing that offence may incur an infringement fine of 4 penalty units. A person convicted of that offence in court may be liable to a fine not exceeding 50 penalty units.
The Secretary may exempt a person from this prohibition under section 60 of the Act.
Refer to Attachment 1, Application of the weed management plan for horehound, for direction on how this prohibition is to be implemented in Zone A and Zone B municipalities in Tasmania.
Actions to assist compliance in this matter could include but are not limited to the following:
- Persons giving away, bartering, selling or otherwise distributing herbal plants should ensure their stock does not include horehound. This includes roadside stalls, market stalls, fundraising events, garden club swaps, nursery sales, supermarket sales and ANY OTHER activities resulting in the distribution of this plant within Tasmania.
- Persons giving away, bartering, selling or otherwise distributing agricultural produce (eg. wool) likely to be contaminated with horehound should ensure that appropriate production hygiene and inspection measures are undertaken. These include practicing integrated horehound control, careful inspection of the product prior to sale or distribution and forgoing the sale and distribution of produce grown in areas where horehound control has not been undertaken successfully.
- Persons involved in the sale or distribution of agricultural or roading machinery likely to be contaminated with horehound should ensure that appropriate inspection and hygiene measures are undertaken. These include introducing thorough visual checks and cleaning of machinery as routine tasks when preparing these items for sale or distribution.
- Persons involved in the sale or distribution of livestock (eg. sheep) that may be carrying horehound should ensure appropriate hygiene measures are undertaken to prevent spread of this plant. These include cleaning stock externally prior to transport from infested properties.
- Persons involved in the sale or distribution of soil, gravel, lime or other such materials from areas infested with Horehound should ensure appropriate hygiene and inspection measures are undertaken. These include practicing integrated control of the weed in quarries, stockpile areas, wholesale or retail outlets and other places from which these materials are sold or distributed.
- Persons involved in the sale or distribution of agricultural produce, agricultural or roading machinery, stock, soil, gravel or other such materials likely to be contaminated with horehound should take direction from any relevant local, regional or state agricultural hygiene programs being implemented in the municipality.
- Persons purchasing any items (agricultural produce, machinery, livestock, soil, gravel or other such materials) likely to be contaminated with horehound should liaise with suppliers on the issue of horehound contamination and keep accurate records of their purchase transactions. Buyers discovering horehound contamination post-purchase should implement practices that reduce the potential for horehound establishment and spread. These include, creating dedicated areas for the wash down of purchased machinery and vehicles, feeding out purchased fodder and grain in specified, small areas, penning suspect stock for external inspection and carefully monitoring any suspect soil, gravel or other such materials for the emergence of this weed.
7. Measures to reduce the number of horehound plants, eradicate horehound from an area or restrict horehound to a particular area:
An Inspector may, by serving a notice on the owner of any place, require that owner to implement any of the measures described in this part of the weed management plan or any other measures consistent with it.
It is an offence against section 13(3) of the Act to fail to comply with a requirement notice issued by an Inspector. A person who fails to comply with that notice may be issued with an infringement fine of 8 penalty units. A person convicted of that offence in court may be liable to a fine not exceeding 100 penalty units and, in the case of a continuing offence, a further fine not exceeding 5 penalty units for each day during which the offence continues.
Refer to Attachment 1, Application of the weed management plan for horehound, for direction on how this requirement is to be implemented in Zone A and Zone B municipalities in Tasmania.
Actions to assist compliance in this matter by persons or organisations upon whose properties horehound occurs, including herbal plantings, could include but are not limited to the following:
- Planning and implementation of a property management plan. Such a plan should be based on integrated weed management principles and include an inventory of horehound infestations in the area to which the plan relates, well-defined objectives, practicable control actions, follow-up actions, a realistic timeline and a budget, as a minimum. The suitability of biological control agents as a component of the integrated control plan should also be assessed in light of the biological control initiatives for this plant, already underway in the state. In addition, existing populations of biological control agents need to be located, identified and taken into account when developing the plan. Regional Weed Management Officers or Inspectors may be contacted for advice on developing a property management plan for this plant.
- Control of the plant over the entire property in a manner commensurate with the horehound management zone objective (ie. Zone A or B) of the municipality in which the property occurs.
- Control of the plant, with the aim of preventing spread to neighbouring properties, within 50 metres of property boundaries.
- Control of the plant, with the aim of preventing spread to neighbouring properties, within 50 metres of waterways, drainage lines, roadways and other transport corridors.
- Seek information about supporting any council endorsed plans relating to horehound management in their municipality.
- Seek cooperation with neighbouring property owners when horehound control measures are being planned or implemented.
Other general actions to assist compliance in this matter:
Persons or organisations responsible for managing land that is currently free of horehound should undertake prevention measures, especially when that land is suited to horehound establishment. Such prevention measures include: - developing an ability to identify the plant;
- noting its occurrence and progress on nearby properties or transport corridors;
- undertaking control of small outbreaks without delay:
- arranging on-site quarantine for, or not bringing or allowing onto the property livestock, agricultural produce, vehicles, machinery, soil, gravel, lime or other such material that may be contaminated with horehound.
A Regional Weed Management Officer may be contacted for advice on keeping areas horehound free.
- Persons performing contract work of an agricultural, utility maintenance, roading or earthmoving nature, on-site consultations or assessments, deliveries or other visits in areas or properties infested with horehound should undertake appropriate hygiene measures. This also applies to owners of more than one property, who move vehicles, machinery, agricultural produce, livestock, gravel, soil, lime or other materials between these properties, when one or more property is infested. Hygiene measures include thorough visual checks upon clothing, footwear, vehicles and machinery and, cleaning of the same, prior to leaving the infested property. Developing a check-list will help ensure such routines are rigorous and consistent. Materials or items likely to be contaminated with horehound should not be moved from horehound infested areas or to horehound free areas until any contamination risks have been minimised.
- Persons wishing to conduct on-site disposal of horehound or any thing contaminated with horehound should contact an Inspector or a Regional Weed Management Officer first, in order to receive direction upon how best to do this.
- Persons considering transporting horehound or any thing contaminated with horehound for the purpose of disposal, should first seek advice from an Inspector or a Regional Weed Management Officer as to whether removal of the material from the site is the preferred option. If on-site disposal is not appropriate and transport to a suitable disposal facility is recommended, this should be undertaken in a manner that does not permit the release of seeds or other material. Note that municipal waste disposal facilities vary in their acceptance and handling of declared weeds. Municipal waste disposal managers should be contacted for details.
8. Storage in a specified area of any thing contaminated with the declared weed:
Any thing found to be contaminated with horehound may be removed to storage at an appropriate approved quarantine place. A Regional Weed Management Officer will determine whether removal to storage at any of these facilities or treatment/destruction of material in situ is most appropriate.
Failure to comply with this requirement is an offence against section 51(1) of the Act. A person found committing that offence may incur an infringement fine of 4 penalty units. A person convicted of that offence in court may be liable to a fine not exceeding 50 penalty units.
The Secretary may exempt a person from this requirement under section 60 of the Act.
Refer to Attachment 1, Application of the weed management plan for horehound, for direction on how this requirement is to be implemented in Zone A and Zone B municipalities in Tasmania.
Actions to assist compliance in this matter could include but are not limited to the following:
- A person who discovers or suspects he/she possesses any thing, (eg. fodder, livestock, machinery, soil, gravel) contaminated with horehound should contact an Inspector or a Regional Weed Management Officer. The contaminated thing should not be moved, disturbed, treated or disposed of prior to making this contact. If horehound is confirmed, the person will be directed and advised in the proper management, including storage or disposal options, of the contaminated thing.
9. Any other measures the Minister considers appropriate to control the weed:
There are no other measures appropriate for the management of horehound in Tasmania at this time.
10. Exemptions:
A person may apply for an exemption from any of provisions of the Act that relate to horehound. He/she should contact a Regional Weed Management Officer to discuss the reasons for seeking the exemption and obtain an exemption application form.
Persons granted an exemption should ensure they understand fully, any conditions specified in the exemption. Queries can be directed to a Regional Weed Management Officer.
11. Review of this weed management plan:
A review of this weed management plan may be undertaken at least once every five years if it is necessary and desirable to do so. The review will incorporate consultation with stakeholders deemed appropriate by the Secretary, DPIWE.
Attachment 1.
Application of the weed management plan for horehound.
Horehound presents a complex weed management challenge for Tasmanians. This complexity results in part from:
- the varied distribution of the plant across the state
- its impacts in agricultural environments
- its diverse and effective means of spread
- the ongoing establishment and management requirements of biological control agents for the plans
- its herbal properties and cultivation in home gardens
- the subdivision of infested land
- different perceptions of its importance as a weed and the need to manage it
- different management capabilities and priorities at the state agency, municipal, local and individual property levels.
Accordingly, it is unlikely that attempts at uniform application and enforcement of measures in this state weed management plan for horehound would result in appropriate, fair or workable management outcomes. However, this weed management plan can be implemented effectively if the differences listed above are taken into account, at least at the local government level. One means of doing this is to identify clear, distinct management objectives suitable at a municipal scale and then specify the manner in which the measures outlined in this weed management plan should be undertaken in order to achieve those objectives.
Two management objectives have been identified as being applicable to horehound in Tasmania:
Eradication is the most appropriate management objective for municipalities which have little or no horehound or when a credible plan for eradicating existing infestations is being developed and implemented. The ultimate management outcome for these municipalities is achieving and maintaining the total absence of horehound from within municipal boundaries. These municipalities are called ‘Zone A municipalities’.
Containment is the most appropriate management objective for municipalities who have problematic infestations but no plan and/or resources to undertake control actions at a level required for eradication. The management outcome for these municipalities is ongoing prevention of the spread of horehound from existing infestations to areas free or in the process of becoming free of horehound. These municipalities are called ‘Zone B municipalities’.
Thus, each Tasmanian municipality falls into one of two zones, A or B, for the purposes of implementing this weed management plan for horehound. No municipality can operate outside this two-zone classification and that all municipalities have some role to play in the improved management of horehound in this state – doing nothing is not an option. The decision regarding which category is most appropriate for a particular municipality at a particular time is made jointly by DPIWE and each municipality. Municipalities may change categories over time. For example, a Zone B municipality may decide to develop and implement a strategic plan for horehound, with eradication as the objective. Provided the plan is credible, this municipality would qualify for inclusion in Zone A. Conversely, a Zone A municipality with widespread infestations may decide to stop supporting a strategic plan for horehound eradication, in which case it would be re-classed as Zone B.
Zone A municipalities and Zone B municipalities are identified in the rest of this attachment and the manner in which this weed management plan for horehound is to be applied in each zone is described.
Zone A Municipalities.
Eradication of horehound is the principal management objective.
Table 1. Zone A municipalities, horehound, 09/03.
Note: Distribution based on Tasmanian Herbarium and DPIWE records.
| Municipality | Horehound distribution* | Management measures** | | Break O Day | Isolated occurrences | Implement integrated control program for eradication and prevent future occurrences in each Zone A municipality. | | Glenorchy | Localised infestations | | | Hobart | Localised infestations | | | Huon Valley | Isolated occurrences | | | Kingborough | Isolated occurrences (confirm for Bruny) | | | Meander Valley | Isolated occurrences | | | Tasman | Isolated occurrences | | | West Coast | Isolated occurrences | |
*Distribution Description Key:
The distribution descriptions presented in Tables 1 and 2 apply to naturalised populations of the plant only. They do not include amenity, garden, horticultural or other deliberate plantings unless specified. The descriptions are relative and provide a general indication only of the spatial status of the plant in the municipality. Detailed location information may be obtained by contacting a Regional Weed Management Officer. If you have reason to believe any of the distribution information presented in Table 1 or Table 2 is incorrect, please advise a Regional Weed Management Officer.
Four distribution categories are used. These are:
"None recorded”. This means the plant is not known to be naturalised in the municipality, either from the records of the Tasmanian Herbarium or from DPIWE databases. In cases where the plant was known to be naturalised at a previous time but is not known there currently, the description “Previously recorded, none known now” is used.
“Isolated occurrences”. This means the species is uncommon in the municipality, with populations limited to one or a few. The number of plants is generally small and/or populations cover small areas.
“Localised infestations”. This means the species is present in the municipality in moderate proportions, with populations numbering several. The number of plants is also moderate and/or populations cover moderate- sized areas.
“Widespread infestations”. This means the species is very common in the municipality, with many populations present. The number of plants present is generally large and/or populations cover large areas.
** When a DPIWE approved weed management strategy that has local council endorsement exists, management of this declared weed in the municipality concerned should occur with direct reference to that strategy.
Application of this weed management plan for horehound in Zone A municipalities.
In order to achieve eradication of horehound in each of the municipalities in Table 1., the measures specified under the following clauses of this weed management plan, whenever they apply, should be undertaken and enforced to a high degree, as a minimum effort. The clauses are:- 4 (Importation of declared weed);
- 5 (Notification of declared weed);
- 6 (Sale of declared weed);
- 7 (Measures to reduce, eradicate or restrict declared weed) and
- 8 (Storage of declared weed)
Further measures, provided they are consistent with this weed management plan, may also be promoted and enforced where appropriate.
Zone B Municipalities
Containment of horehound is the principal management objective.
Table 2. Zone B municipalities, horehound, 09/03.
Note: Distribution based on Tasmanian Herbarium and DPIWE records.
| Municipality | Horehound distribution * | Management measures** | | | Containment within municipal boundaries, protection of specified areas within municipal boundaries, prevention of spread to Zone A municipalities. This applies to all Zone B municipalities. | | Brighton | Widespread infestations | | | Burnie | Localised infestations | | | Central Coast | Localised infestations | | | Central Highlands | Widespread infestations | | | Circular Head | Localised infestations | | | Clarence | Widespread infestations | | | Derwent Valley | Widespread infestations | | | Devonport | Localised infestations | | | Dorset | Localised infestations | | | Flinders | Widespread infestations | | | George Town | Localised infestations | | | Glamorgan/Spring Bay | Widespread infestations | | | Kentish | Localised infestations | | | King Island | Localised infestations | | | Latrobe | Localised infestations | | | Launceston | Localised infestations | | | Northern Midlands | Widespread infestations | | | Sorell | Widespread infestations | | | Southern Midlands | Widespread infestations | | | Waratah/Wynyard | Localised infestations | | | West Coast | Localised infestations | | | West Tamar | Localised infestations | |
*See note under Table 1
** See note under Table 1.
Application of this weed management plan for horehound in Zone B municipalities.
For the purposes of applying this weed management plan for horehound in Zone B municipalities, two requirements must be satisfied. These are:
- The spread of horehound from the municipality must be prevented.
- The spread of horehound to particular types of landholding in Zone B must be prevented. Table 3 lists these landholdings.
Table 3. Zone B landholdings requiring protection from horehound.
| a) Any Zone B property sharing a border with a Zone A municipality | b) Any horehound free property within Zone B. | | c) Any group of properties within Zone B for which the owners have developed and are implementing a local integrated weed management plan for horehound. | | d) Any property within Zone B where horehound is impacting negatively upon any community or flora or fauna species listed under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and/or the Tasmanian Threatened Species Protection Act 1995. |
The measures described in clauses 4 (Importation of declared weed) and 6 (Sale of declared weed) of this weed management plan are to be undertaken and enforced throughout Zone B municipalities to a high degree. Failure to do so increases the threat of horehound to Zone B landholdings listed in Table 3 and to Zone A municipalities. It also increases the likelihood of horehound problems in Zone B municipalities becoming worse.
The measures specified under clauses 5 (Notification of declared weed), 7 (Measures to reduce, eradicate or restrict declared weed) and 8 (Storage of declared weed) of this weed management plan are to be undertaken and enforced to prevent the spread of the plant to the four specific types of landholding listed in Table 3. Equally, enforcement of these measures will also apply to activities in Zone B municipalities that increase the risk of horehound spread to Zone A municipalities. The examples that follow indicate how these measures apply.
Examples of implementation of this weed management plan for horehound in Zone B municipalities.
Procedures for notification of the occurrence of the weed (clause 5).
Example: New horehound occurrences in Zone B municipalities are to be reported when they increase the likelihood of spread of the plant to any of the areas listed in Table 3. For example, a group of Zone B landholders attempting to implement a horehound management plan for their catchment or local area may report new occurrences of horehound on municipal roads passing through their area, in order that these be targetted for control. Established, well-known horehound infestations are not to be reported.
Measures to reduce the number of horehound plants, eradicate horehound from an area or restrict horehound to a particular area (clause 7).
Example: Owners of Zone B properties sharing a boundary with landholdings listed in Table 3 are required to undertake property boundary control and control along waterways, drainage lines, roadways and other transport corridors, as described in clause 7. Zone B properties bordering Zone A municipalities are also required to undertake boundary control of horehound along the shared boundary or along waterways, roads and other transport corridors which extend into any Zone A municipality.
Owners of Zone B properties with horehound infestations are not required to undertake boundary control if their neighbours also have horehound infestations but do not fall into the landholding categories described in Table 3.
Example: Agricultural contractors, utility maintenance crews, roading and earthmoving contractors, delivery people and any other persons visiting Zone B properties infested with horehound are required to undertake the basic hygiene measures described in clause 7. Failure to do so increases the likelihood of horehound spread to Zone A municipalities and to Zone B landholdings listed in Table 3. It also increases the chance of existing horehound problems becoming worse.
Example: Transport and disposal of horehound or any thing contaminated with horehound should occur in Zone B municipalities in accordance with suggested measures described in clause 7. Failure to do so increases the likelihood of horehound spread to Zone A municipalities and to Zone B landholdings listed in Table 3. It also increases the chance of existing horehound problems becoming worse.
Storage in a specified area of any thing contaminated with the declared weed (clause 8).
Example: Any thing contaminated with horehound may not be required to be stored in an approved quarantine place if the contaminated thing occurs and will remain in a Zone B municipality. If the problem cannot be dealt with on site, storage in an approved quarantine place may be required when the contaminated thing is destined for or threatens any of the areas listed in Table 3 or any Zone A municipality.
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