Control pests, weeds and diseases
Plant biosecurity means keeping our land and plants safe from pests, weeds, and diseases. It helps protect our economy, environment, and community. Pests, weeds, and diseases can cause crop loss and harm native ecosystems. Potential plant biosecurity risks in NSW include:
- Exotic and priority plant pests.
- Disease-causing organisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi).
- Invertebrates (insects, mites, snails, nematodes) that damage plants and are not present in NSW.
- A range of threats including Tomato potato psyllid, Myrtle rust, Citrus leprosis, Cotton boll weevil and Fall armyworm.
Image
Control insect pests
Know what to look for and how to control insect pests.
Image
Control plant diseases
Get advice on identifying, preventing, and controlling plant diseases.
Image
Control weeds
Protect crop health by minimising weeds.
Act on farm biosecurity risks
Be aware of and be ready to act on plant biosecurity threats.
- Ensure pests and other contaminants do not enter your property via soils, fertiliser, seeds and seedlings.
- Routinely monitor for pests and identify risks.
- Be aware of the pests, diseases and weeds in your region and those found in and around your property.
- Conduct an induction to explain required hygiene practices for people, equipment and vehicles on your property.
Report the risk
- If you see unusual symptoms on plants or if you suspect an exotic plant pest, it’s important to act quickly.
- Some plant pests and diseases are legislated as notifiable in NSW under the Biosecurity Act 2015, and must be reported immediately. Link to the online form or call 1800 084 881.
Tools to protect your land and business
Plant pests and diseases can be carried onto your property via dirty vehicles, footwear, equipment and machinery.
Steps to protect your farm
Follow this simple 'Come clean, go clean' guide and help protect your farm against unwanted pests, weeds and diseases.
On-farm biosecurity planning
Find out how to create a personalised biosecurity plan for your farm.
Prepare samples
Plant health and insect sample preparation and packaging
Moving plants and equipment
Minimising risks during the movement of plants, plant products and equipment
Manage invasive weeds
Use WeedWise to identify and learn how to manage weeds.
Act on weeds in public places
Contact your local council about weeds on roadsides and public places.
How we minimise risks in NSW
Australia’s isolated position and strong quarantine regulations have allowed us to avoid any serious biosecurity threats. We’ve managed to maintain a ‘clean and green’ reputation.
The NSW Government conducts plant surveillance activities to help identify and monitor plant biosecurity risks.
To minimise the risk of introducing plant pests and diseases into NSW there are a number of measures including:
- Specific pests and diseases are proclaimed under the Biosecurity Act
- Movement of items associated with these proclaimed pests or diseases are regulated.
- New pests are detected and reported early through surveillance. There’s also increased general awareness of what is 'normal' and what is 'suspect'
- Domestic and export markets are protected and established plant pests effectively managed.
- In NSW, there are several legislated quarantine or protected zones. These regulate the movement of high-risk products. They include: Banana protected areas, Rice pest exclusion zones, Citrus quarantine areas and Seed potato protected areas.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (NSW DPIRD) has a lead role in preventing, responding to, and overseeing the recovery from invasion or spread of plant pests and diseases.
The department works closely with plant industries, other jurisdictions and the general public to put sound biosecurity policies in place, helping to maintain and expand market access for the state's primary producers.
Local Land Services officers (see image right) work closely with the NSW DPIRD Plant Biosecurity & Plant Systems unit to ensure a consistent, coordinated and strategic approach to plant biosecurity across the state of NSW.
We support landholders to fulfil their responsibilities to manage pests, weeds, and diseases and run a profitable farming enterprise.
Our activities include:
- maintaining regular and timely communication of priority pest status and incursion preparedness.
- training in plant pest ID, sample submission protocols, monitoring and reporting- both internal & industry.
- plant surveillance activities - both exotic and industry identified priority plant pests.
- emergency response training.
Latest news
Contact Local Land Services NSW
Our team welcome your enquiries, feedback and comments.
Local Land Services is moving to nsw.gov.au. During the change, you might find the information you are looking for at lls.nsw.gov.au