Biosecurity Regulations 2022

The release or spread of – a declared pest; or a declared disease; or an unknown pest; or an unknown disease – into the environment is prescribed to be a prohibited dealing for the purposes of section 17(2) of the Act.

Without limiting subregulation (1), a person is taken to be responsible for the release or spread of a pest or disease into the environment if at the time of the alleged dealing – he or she – was the owner or occupier of premises that are reasonably suspected of being a carrier of the pest or disease; or otherwise had possession, care or control of the pest or disease, or any thing reasonably suspected of being a carrier of the pest or disease; and he or she – caused, allowed, or failed to prevent the release, scattering or escape into the environment, or from the premises, of the pest or disease, or any thing reasonably suspected of being a carrier of the pest or disease; or otherwise dealt with the pest or disease, or any thing reasonably suspected of being a carrier of the pest or disease, in a manner that resulted in the spread or increase of the pest or disease into the environment or from the premises.