Plant biosecurity alerts

To protect the Northern Territory (NT) from harmful pests and diseases, strict carrier import rules apply to high risk materials brought into the Territory.

Carriers can include, but not limited to:

• plants
• plant products
• plant related materials, such as packaging materials, soil, hay, straw and transport containers.

Polyphagous shot-hole borer (PSHB)

The PSHB is a small exotic beetle recently detected in Western Australia (WA). It’s currently under a national emergency plant pest response. Read about PSHB .

NT import conditions

To prevent its spread, import conditions now apply to selective PSHB carriers from affected regions.

• PSHB attacks tree trunks, stems, and branches, often causing tree death.
• It poses a high risk to the NT’s plant life and biodiversity.

Find out your requirements in the explanatory guide PDF (563.1 KB).

Under the NT Plant Health Act 2008, it is an offence to import the specified carriers not in accordance with the control notice. Read the control notice in the NTG Gazette PDF (290.0 KB).

Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV)

ToBRFV is a plant virus that affects tomatoes, capsicums and chillies. It has been detected in several states and territories across Australia.

NT import conditions

Import conditions now apply to selective carriers of ToBRFV from affected regions.

These measures aim to prevent the virus from entering and spreading within the NT.

Find out your requirements in the explanatory notice PDF (550.1 KB).

Under the NT Plant Health Act 2008, it is an offence to import the specified carriers not in accordance with the control notice.  Read the control notice in the NTG Gazette PDF (776.3 KB).

How to report

If you suspect a pest or disease outbreak, report it to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881 or email plantbiosecurity@nt.gov.au.

For further information regarding import requirements for potential carriers, contact NT Plant Biosecurity.