Environment on Kangaroo Island

Protecting our future.

Kangaroo Island is a unique environment free of many of the pests and diseases found on mainland Australia. Consequently it needs to be protected.

Visitors are asked to respect the island’s strict quarantine status and not import flora and fauna that might jeopardise our future. Just one new pest or disease could be devastating. Biosecurity is about keeping Kangaroo Island safe from pests and diseases. Kangaroo Island’s remoteness has created a very special environment being free of many pests and diseases however the introduction of just one new pest or disease could have devastating consequences for our economy. Fortunately we have an opportunity, with your help, to maintain quarantine status and this happens in several ways.

Firstly it is important to note that, in order to protect some of our main industries, legislation forbids the importation of the following items into Kangaroo Island.

• bees , honey products and bee handling equipment. This protects our pure strain of Ligurian Bees, the only such colony left worldwide!
• foxes; which could devastate our free range poultry industry.
• rabbits; their impact on farming environments is well known.

Secondly, the legislation restricts the importation of:

• potatoes: any potatoes brought onto the island must be in new packaging and all peels and unused potatoes must be destroyed to prevent regermination
• vines: cuttings and soil in which grapevines have grown are not to be brought onto the Island without prior inspection and approval.

Finally, in order to prevent the introduction of weeds, both pastoral and aquatic, which can devastate grazing and cropping industries, we rely on you.

• ensure that vehicles, caravans, trailers, camping gear, hiking boots and equipment are free of mud and weed seeds prior to travelling.
• clean your boats and gear prior to coming to the Island. Particular attention should be paid to boat surfaces (hull, propeller, rudder, anchor etc) and gear (including nets, wetsuits, life jackets, fishing tackle etc.)

Biosecurity is more about people than it is about pests and diseases. Your support is vital if Kangaroo Island is to protect its industries and environment and continue to offer the unspoiled beauty for which it is famous.

Good Food Kangaroo Island is an industry group formed to encourage and support value adding producers and protect the integrity of the Island’s produce. Regional food groups have been established throughout South Australia and are actively working with producers to establish regional branding and long term relationships with major retailers seeking access to high quality, branded products.

Contact us for more information about produce, transport, reservations and tourist attractions.