Agriculture Victoria said the facility had closed temporarily and remained under quarantine to ensure the highly contagious plant virus — tomato brown rugose fruit virus— doesn't spread beyond the facility.
Victoria's deputy chief plant health officer Stephen Dibley said Agriculture Victoria was working with the affected business to assist them to eradicate the disease, and guide a return to business in line with the nationally agreed response plan developed with industry input.
“Every effort is being made to eradicate the disease, known as ToBRFV, from the Victorian property to protect Australia’s $5.8 billion vegetable industry and the $2.8 billion plant nursery industry from the impacts of this virus,” Dr Dibley said.
“ToBRFV can cause serious economic damage to tomato, capsicum and chilli crops, with yield losses of up to 70 per cent and reduced marketable fruit yield by 10 to 15 per cent.
“We are taking this situation very seriously and doing what is required to protect the industry.
“Agriculture Victoria is assisting with the safe removal and disposal of plant materials, decontamination of the premises and will coordinate rigorous diagnostic testing to get the business back into operation as soon as possible.”
The virus was detected at the property following surveillance and testing of seedlings that originated from a South Australian business.
Agriculture Victoria says it has been working with the facility owner since the positive detection was made.
A support hub has been established at the Katunga Recreation Reserve, currently operating from Monday to Friday from 10am to 2pm, and coordinated by Moira Shire Council.
Federal Member for Nicholls Sam Birrell is investigating the implications for employees who are visa holders, working in the industry as a condition on their class of visa.
“Obviously working is a condition of their visa so I am trying to find out what will occur if they can’t work through no fault of their own,” he said.
Mr Birrell was also looking into what support may be available from the Federal Government.
He expressed his concern at the cost to the business of the contamination, which had occurred through no fault of the grower.
Mr Birrell said Moira Shire Council had acted quickly to establish the support centre in Katunga.