Infected plants do not pose a hazard to human health, according to Agriculture Victoria.
Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) was detected at Katunga Fresh’s tomato glasshouse facility in seedlings recently moved from South Australia.
The business has been placed under quarantine. It was not clear today (January 21) how production has been affected due to the quarantine.
Victoria’s chief plant health officer Rosa Crnov said quarantine controls were in place at the property and Agriculture Victoria was working closely with the business to ensure the virus does not spread and is eradicated.
“After national agreement on a pilot protocol to support trade, tomato seedlings were moved without authorisation from a decontaminated production nursery in South Australia to the Victorian business in mid-December 2024,” Dr Crnov said.
“Following notification that a plant grown in association with these seedlings had tested positive in SA, Agriculture Victoria implemented movement controls on the glasshouses at the Victorian facility and conducted extensive surveillance, which identified an infected plant.
“This detection is linked to a specific movement of plant material and there is no evidence that ToBRFV is present in any other location in Victoria.”
The seedlings moved from South Australia into Victoria have been kept in glasshouses away from other plants on the property and have been under biosecurity control.
“We acknowledge this has significant impacts on the business and we’re committed to working with them to eradicate the virus from their property,” Dr Crnov said.
“Response activities are being implemented in line with the nationally agreed response plan that is in place in South Australia, with the aim of eradicating the virus from Australia.
“The entire property has been placed under biosecurity control to stop the movement of host products until further investigations are completed.
“We maintain confidence in the freedom of the rest of the state from ToBRFV and continue to monitor the national situation closely to determine if changes to our biosecurity measures are required.”
There will be no further movements to Victoria under the pilot protocol following the detection of ToBRFV.
Tomato brown rugose fruit virus is a highly contagious plant virus that affects tomatoes, capsicums and chillies. The virus is a serious threat to Australia’s tomato, capsicum and chilli industries.
The virus spreads easily through contaminated tools, hands, clothing and direct plant-to-plant contact, including grafting and cuttings. It can also be transmitted in seeds and irrigation water.
The virus can remain viable in seed, plant waste and contaminated soil for months and once a crop is infected, the only way to eradicate the virus is by destroying all infected plants and material.
Tomato brown rugose fruit virus was detected in South Australia in August 2024 and is known to be present on three properties in SA.
Victorian tomato and capsicum producers and home gardeners are encouraged to monitor their crops and to contact Agriculture Victoria if they suspect the disease might be present.
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