Strawberry trade from WA okay again

Biosecurity Tasmania advises that new, temporary import requirements have been imposed on the trade of Western Australian strawberry fruit as a vector of green snail Cornu apertus (Born) (syn. Cantareus apertus (Born), Helix aperta (Born).

As a result, strawberries from properties more than two kilometres from a green snail infestation in Western Australia can once again be imported into Tasmania in accordance with a series of import conditions, including that properties must be inspected free of the pest by an approved person on a monthly basis.

Strawberry fruit from Western Australian properties within two kilometres of a green snail infestation will still not be accepted for the time being.

Biosecurity Tasmania continues to work with our Western Australian counterparts on this matter.

For any further enquiries, please contact Biosecurity Tasmania directly on 03 6165 3777.

We ask everyone to please remain vigilant for the presence of any green snails when purchasing strawberry punnets from Western Australia and immediately report any snail finds to Biosecurity Tasmania.

Please do not release the snails into the waste stream (eg do not put strawberries carrying the snails into garbage or compost) or the environment.