(1)  A person who introduces a serious animal disease into Tasmania is guilty of a crime.

Charge:  Introducing a serious animal disease.

(2)  A person who –

(a) is in possession of a serious animal disease agent; or

(b) administers a serious animal disease agent, or causes or permits the administration of a serious animal disease agent, directly or indirectly, to an animal, animal material or class of animal or animal material; or

(c) threatens to administer a serious animal disease agent, directly or indirectly, to an animal, animal material or class of animal or animal material –

is guilty of a crime.

Charge:  Possession or administration of serious animal disease agent.

(2A)  A person who knowingly or recklessly exposes an animal, animal material or class of animal or animal material to a serious animal disease is guilty of a crime.

Charge:  Exposure to a serious animal disease.

(3)  Subsections (1) , (2) and (2A) do not apply to a person who–

(a) is authorised under the Biosecurity Act 2019 to import, administer or be in possession of a serious animal disease agent or expose an animal or animal material to a serious animal disease; and

(b) is acting in accordance with that authorisation.