Under the Biosecurity Act 2014, certain pests, pathogens and diseases are regulated as prohibited and restricted matter to manage impacts on human health, industry and the economy, the environment and our way of life.
In April last year, the Agriculture and Fisheries and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2024 made changes to the Biosecurity Act, including moving what's known as the prohibited and restricted matter lists from the Biosecurity Act to the Biosecurity Regulation 2016. These lists contain high-risk species that are assigned specific management actions to manage risks effectively and proportionately.
Before moving the lists, the Department of Primary Industries undertook a review to ensure they are scientifically up to date and meet the criteria under the Biosecurity Act. Importantly, the lists need to reflect Queensland's specific risk profiles.
The discussion paper explainedthe proposed changes to the lists and the potential impacts of these changes. Some of the proposed changes could affect local government, farmers, industries, and the wider community.
We sought your feedback on the proposed changes to help shape the final lists, so that our laws continue to be efficient and effective for managing biosecurity risks in Queensland.
Consultation was open from 29 September to 27 October. Consultation is now closed.
It is anticipated that the prohibited and restricted matter lists will be finalised and moved into the Biosecurity Regulation in the first half of 2026. The Department of Primary Industries will provide further updates to inform stakeholders and the community about any changes at that time.
