The Plant Biosecurity Regulations 2026 establish measures under the Plant Biosecurity Act 2010 to prevent the introduction and spread of plant pests and diseases in Victoria. The Regulations prescribe specific categories of plant material subject to biosecurity controls, including grapevine material, associated equipment and packaging, soil originating from vineyards, and certain root vegetables, bulbs, nursery plants and seedlings. They also identify the Australian states and territories from which regulated materials may enter Victoria and establish requirements for plant health certificates, assurance certificates, plant health declarations and area freedom certificates relating to pests such as grape phylloxera and potato cyst nematode. The Regulations require persons possessing regulated materials in specified circumstances to hold and present the appropriate certification and, where required, submit materials for inspection, examination or treatment at a prescribed location. They prescribe the information that must be included in certificates and declarations, identify plants subject to property identification code requirements, and specify fruit and vegetables that must bear locality markings. The instrument also establishes procedures for attaching and protecting biosecurity warning notices to seized or detained packages, plants or plant products, including offences for removal, defacement or obscuring of such warnings. The Regulations authorise inspectors to impose fees and charges for inspections, supervision of treatments, destruction or disposal activities, and the preparation and monitoring of compliance agreements. In addition, they prescribe a broad range of offences under the Act for which infringement notices may be issued and set corresponding infringement penalties for individuals and corporations.
Australia · 2026-05-19