Biosecurity Act 2015 (NSW)

Biosecurity Act 2015 No 24

An Act to provide for the prevention, elimination, minimisation and management of biosecurity risks; and for other purposes.

Part 1 Preliminary

1 Name of Act This Act is the Biosecurity Act 2015.

2 Commencement This Act commences on a day or days to be appointed by proclamation.

3 Objects of Act (1) The primary object of this Act is to provide a framework for the prevention, elimination and minimisation of biosecurity risks posed by biosecurity matter, dealing with biosecurity matter, carriers and potential carriers, and other activities that involve biosecurity matter, carriers or potential carriers. (2) The other objects of this Act are as follows— (a) to promote biosecurity as a shared responsibility between government, industry and communities, (b) to provide a framework for the timely and effective management of the following— (i) pests, diseases, contaminants and other biosecurity matter that are economically significant for primary production industries, (ii) threats to terrestrial and aquatic environments arising from pests, diseases, contaminants and other biosecurity matter, (iii) public health and safety risks arising from contaminants, non-indigenous animals, bees, weeds and other biosecurity matter known to contribute to human health problems, (iv) pests, diseases, contaminants and other biosecurity matter that may have an adverse effect on community activities and infrastructure, (c) to provide a framework for risk-based decision-making in relation to biosecurity, (d) to give effect to intergovernmental biosecurity agreements to which the State is a party, (e) to provide the means by which biosecurity requirements in other jurisdictions can be met, so as to maintain market access for industry.