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Plant Health Laws in South Australia (PDF 641.6 KB)

Queensland Fruit Fly - Host Check List (PDF 1.1 MB)

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Locusts

Languages Other Than English
If you need information translated, and you live in South Australia, please contact the Telephone Interpreter Service (TIS) on 13 14 50 and ask the interpreter to telephone Service SA on 13 23 24.

For more information about this translation service go to the Interpreting and Translation Centre.

You may be trafficking pests and diseases

On the spot fines and increased penalties apply from 1 July 2009.
www.pir.sa.gov.au/fruitfly

Government of South Australia - Primary Industries and Resources of SA

Changes to Plant Health Legislation

A guide to how the changes affect you

Don't risk a Fine

$315 for an individual caught illegally carrying fruit, vegetables or plant material into South Australia or the Riverland.
$20,000 for a truck driver caught illegally carrying fruit, vegetables or plant material into South Australia or the Riverland.
$100,000 for any company caught illegally trafficking fruit, vegetables or plant material into South Australia or the Riverland.

Eat it, bin it or declare it.

For further information contact PIRSA Plant Health Operations on 1300 666 010 or visit www.pir.sa.gov.au/planthealth

Steeper penalties and tougher restrictions on the movement of plant and plant related product in and out of South Australia now apply.

The new Plant Health Act further protects SA’s $1.5 billion fresh fruit, vegetable, grape and field crop industries from the introduction of pests and disease of quarantine concern.

To ensure SA maintains its fruit fly freedom status and favourable plant health reputation, it is critical to minimise the risk of introduced pests or diseases.

There has been extensive stakeholder consultation including growers, produce importers, transporters,the nursery industry, home gardeners and local government since 2007.

The new Act represents a significant step forward in improving the State’s ability to prevent, detect and respond swiftly and effectively to incursions of pests and diseases.

It also brings South Australia into line with other states,and bolsters our interstate biosecurity measures.

This brochure outlines the changes and what action needs to be taken to ensure compliance under the new legislation.

Information for Importers

The new legislation improves the import certification system, and provides enhanced protection for the fresh fruit and vegetable industry in SA.

A register of importers has been established. This has the support of the Horticulture Plant Health Consultative Committee,representing key industry groups and the Adelaide Produce Market.

It is a legal requirement that you must be registered if you import fruit, vegetables or plant material.
PIRSA oversees an Import Verification Compliance Arrangement system (IVCA), which provides a cost-effective and efficient produce clearance system for importers.

For further information on registration as an importer and IVCA accreditation please contact PIRSA Plant Health Operations on 1300 666 010 or www.pir.sa.gov.au/planthealth.

New penalties apply.

Failing to register as an importer or contravening a condition of registration can result in a $20,000 penalty for body corporate or $5000 for an individual.

Failing to report pest affected plants and plant related products, or to take reasonable measures to prevent the spread of the pest, will result in penalties of up to $100,000.

Information for the travelling public

The public faces increased on-the-spot fines and penalties for trafficking fruit, vegetables or plant material.

An on-the-spot fine of $315 will apply for most offences.

Travellers are not permitted to bring fruit,vegetables or plant material into South Australia.

It is also illegal to take fruit and vegetables purchased in SA into the Riverland without an itemised receipt or a Plant Health Certificate.

Random roadblocks operate on key South Australian roads to enforce the new legislation.

Fines and penalties apply from 1 July 2009.

Information for Transport Companies

The new legislation requires transporters carrying fruit, vegetables or plant material into SA to provide a manifest to PIRSA indicating the impending arrival of that produce into SA.

Manifests must be provided to PIRSA by:
Email: pirsa.planthealthmanifest@sa.gov.au
or
Fax: (08) 8124 1467

PIRSA will contact transporters to explain changes in more detail.

Under the new Plant Health Act 2009 there are provisions for fines and/or penalties to apply for non-compliance.