Guy Barnett,Minister for Primary Industries and Water
The Hodgman majority Liberal Government is committed to strengthening Tasmania’s biosecurity systems to protect our primary industries, environment, community and the tourism sector.
Tasmania’s reputation as a premium producer of agricultural and seafood products, and as a leading tourism destination is reliant on a rigorous and effective biosecurity system.
The landmark Biosecurity Act 2019 represents one of the most significant reforms of Tasmania’s primary industry and environmental laws in decades, and replaces seven separate and out-dated Acts into a single, modern, ‘fit-for-purpose’ piece of legislation.
This new legislation will ensure Tasmania has modern biosecurity laws capable of progressing the Tasmanian Biosecurity Strategy, whilst minimising red tape for business and the general community.
The Biosecurity Act is being proclaimed and implemented in stages from 1 January 2020, with stage one the implementation of new procedural provisions, including:
- provisions necessary for the establishment of biosecurity zones, biosecurity registration, biosecurity programs and agreements, and regulations;
- provisions for the establishment of the Biosecurity Advisory Committee; and
- general provisions relating to interpretation, legal proceedings and other miscellaneous matters under the Act.
Further proclamations of the other parts of the Act, including new regulatory requirements, will be implemented in a staged process.
Good biosecurity is about protecting our community, economy, industries and environment from the negative impacts of pests, diseases and weeds.
