Do you sell Wildlife Safe Bird Netting? What are the new laws in Victoria?

Yes, we sure do. We have an entire range that is both Wildlife Friendly and complies with newly introduced usage laws in Victoria. You can find our range of Wildlife Safe Netting options here:

https://haverford.com.au/collections/victoria-safe-bird-netting

Your questions may be... Why do you continue to sell Bird Netting that doesn't comply with the new regulations? There is a large number of ongoing commercial industries across the entire country that require pollination, and the legislated <5mm Mesh Size prevents this from being possible. Therefore we continue to supply to this part of the market. We do label and recommend the wildlife safe option to try bring awareness to all buyers regarding the benefits of those mesh varieties.

Laws relating to household use in Victoria (NOT applicable for Commercial growers).
Recent new regulations have been introduced in the State of Victoria which affects the sale and purchase off certain styles of bird netting for fruit tree use in households only. The law states that fruit netting for Household use must have a mesh-size of 5 mm x 5 mm or less. Based on this criteria this particular netting is SUITABLE for sale into VIC for personal household use. Please note that as a result of the 5mm mesh size requirement in VIC, it is not normally possible for pollinators to enter through the holes of this netting.

New laws have recently been introduced in Victoria regarding the use of Fruit Netting for household use. We have outlined the changes below, and below are also some recent articles and information that could be of interest to you... The main points of note include:

Applicable to household use only (commercial growers exempt)
Mesh size must be 5mm or less

To make it easy, we have marked all our Wildlife Friendly Bird Nets with the following graphics:

USEFUL LINKS:

Household fruit netting regulations – commenced 1 September 2021

From 1 September 2021, netting used to protect household fruit-trees, vegetable gardens, or other fruiting plants must have a mesh size, of 5mm x 5mm or less at full stretch.

If you use netting to protect your household fruit or vegetable harvest you will need to comply with this new mandatory requirement introduced under Victoria’s Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulations 2019 (POCTA Regulations).

Any existing household fruit netting that does not meet this specification must be replaced with appropriate netting from the 1 September 2021 commencement date.

Don’t forget that old netting, when discarded, can still be an entanglement risk. If you plan to dispose of old netting to landfill it is recommended that you place it into a strong biodegradable bag first.

The regulation applies to both the sale and use of household fruit netting. It does not apply to sale or use of netting in commercial circumstances.

Failure to comply with this regulation could result in a fine under the POCTA Regulations. The maximum penalty for using fruit netting that does not comply or for advertising or offering non-compliant netting for sale for household fruiting plants is 15 penalty units ($2726.10 as at 1 July 2021). Infringements of two penalty units ($363.48) and four penalty units ($726.96), as at 1 July 2021, can also be issued for use, or sale, of non-compliant netting, respectively.

Why has the regulation been introduced?

Fruit on household trees and plants is a tempting treat for hungry wildlife. Netting is a popular way to protect fruit, but inappropriate types of netting can kill or injure animals such as birds, possums or flying foxes.

Netting with a large mesh size is more likely to entangle animals and their struggling can cause deep cuts and strangulation, often leading to death.

Reducing the mesh size of netting will greatly reduce the risk of animal entanglement.

What type of netting should be used?

Netting used on household fruiting trees or plants must have a mesh size of 5mm x 5mm or less at full stretch.

It is also recommended that household netting is:

white in colour, making it easier for nocturnally active animals to see and avoid it at night made from material with a strand diameter thicker than 500 microns, or with a cross-weave design, to also help reduce injuries and fatalities.

The use of appropriate mesh sized netting will support a productive harvest while also protecting our vulnerable wildlife from harm.

What is meant by household netting?

The following guidance has been developed to assist Victorian gardeners and retailers to understand what is generally meant by the use of the term ‘household’ in this context.

Generally, ‘household’ fruit-trees, vegetable gardens, or other fruiting plants are those grown:

at residential premises in an urban or suburban area, or
at residential premises in a semi-rural or rural area, primarily for personal use (even if some excess produce is shared or sold).

‘Household’ fruit-trees, vegetable gardens, or other fruiting plants would not generally include those grown:
at commercial orchards, or
at vineyards, or
for a fruit and/or vegetable produce business, or
where the objective of growing the trees or plants is to produce a commercial harvest for sale, with the intent to make a profit. The scale of such an activity should be consistent with other commercial orchard, vineyard or produce businesses.

The Australian Tax Office (ATO) website contains information that will assist people to determine whether their fruit or vegetable growing activities are a hobby or a business. The ATO makes it clear that there is no single factor that determines if a person is in business.

Gardeners’ individual growing arrangements for fruit and vegetable produce will vary, and this guidance does not take into account personal situations. Where appropriate, you should seek independent professional advice.

Protecting wildlife

Remove old netting that is not protecting fruit and dispose of safely. If the chosen method is disposal to landfill it is recommended that you place it into a strong biodegradable bag first.

Check netted trees every day to ensure the nets are not loose and no animals are caught

Wildlife in Victoria are protected under the Wildlife Act 1975, which makes it illegal to wilfully disturb or destroy wildlife. .

Do you sell Wildlife Safe Bird Netting? What are the new laws in Victoria?Updated 5 months ago

Protecting wildlife