17Notification of plant pests or diseases

17 Notification of plant pests or diseases

S. 17(1) amended by Nos 71/2014 s. 44, 1/2024 s. 69.

(1) If a person knows or has reason to suspect that an exotic pest or disease or a notifiable pest or disease is present in any plant, plant product, used package, used equipment or earth material—

(a) owned by that person or in the possession, control or charge of that person; or

(b) on land owned or occupied by that person; or

(c) dealt with by that person as—

(i) a consultant or contractor engaged by a person referred to in paragraph (a) or (b); or

(ii) the owner or person in charge of a diagnostic laboratory—

the person must notify an inspector in accordance with subsection (2) or (3).

1. In the case of a notifiable pest or disease, 120 penalty units;

In the case of an exotic pest or disease, 1200 penalty units.

(2) In the case of an exotic pest or disease, the person must notify an inspector without delay after becoming aware or suspecting that the pest or disease is present by the fastest means of communication available.

(3) In the case of a notifiable pest or disease, the person must notify an inspector, orally or in writing, within 7 days after becoming aware or suspecting that the pest or disease is present.

S. 17(4) amended by No. 22/2022 s. 152.

(4) In this section notifiable pest or disease means a pest or disease which the Governor in Council has declared by order to be a notifiable pest or disease.

S. 18 amended by No. 22/2022 s. 153(1)(2) (ILA s. 39B(1)).