Guy Barnett,Minister for Primary Industries and Water
The Tasmanian Government is continuing to work with key representatives from Tasmania’s potato industry, the Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association and Biosecurity Tasmania regarding potato imports into Tasmania.
Our biosecurity system is based on science and evidence, independent of political opinion, and is underpinned by a nationally and internationally recognised cooperative approach.
Biosecurity Tasmania has released the Statement of Reasons* for its conditional exemption which industry representatives can provide comment on.
Despite today’s fake claims from Shane Broad, I can confirm the import assessment is not out of date.
A usual three-yearly Import Risk Assessment (‘IRA’) review covering potato imports will commence immediately in consultation with industry and will be available for public comment before the end of the year.
I also recently wrote to our major supermarkets urging them to continue to stock locally bought produce, and I am very pleased they have now reported they have no intention of stocking imported potatoes.
It is disappointing that Labor are choosing to spread fake news and play politics on this issue.
*https://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/biosecurity-tasmania/plant-biosecurity/plant-biosecurity-manual/statement-of-reasons-for-decision-regards-the-issuing-of-a-section-99-conditional-exemption
