The Minns Labor Government today issued a Control Order to protect NSW’s valuable tomato, capsicum and chilli industries by reducing the risk of the devastating tomato brown rugose virus entering the state.
NSW remains free of tomato brown rugose fruit virus, which was for the first time confirmed in Australia when it was found this August in tomato crops near Adelaide.
Tomato brown rugose fruit virus is a highly contagious plant virus which could be a serious threat to Australia’s $5.8 billion vegetable industry and the $2.8 billion plant nursery industry.
The control order restricts high risk produce from entering NSW, including tomatoes, capsicums and chillies, from infested properties in South Australia.
Restrictions apply to other properties which are linked to the infested sites.
Plans are in place to eradicate the virus, which has been found in just four greenhouses on three South Australian properties.
The greenhouses are enclosed, which supports efforts to contain the disease and apply control measures to rid Australia of this threat.
The NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is working with industry, international and national experts to maintain NSW’s disease-free status and safely allow continuing trade in fresh produce, seedlings and seeds.
Containment of the disease underpins these plans and extensive surveillance is ongoing in South Australia, NSW and other states and territories.
The South Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) is responding to the confirmed detection, which was found in tomatoes.
Industry and home gardeners are urged to be on the lookout for signs of tomato brown rugose fruit virus and call the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline 1800 084 881 if suspect plants are found.
Signs of the virus include:
- mosaic and mottled patterns, yellowing, discoloration and deformities on leaves
- fruit with yellow patches, marbling, brown wrinkled spots or uneven ripening.
Symptoms vary between plants and laboratory diagnosis is needed to identify tomato brown rugose virus, which is similar to other viruses from the same family.
More information is available from the NSW DPIRD website.
NSW Minister for Agriculture, Tara Moriarty, said:
“Tomato brown rugose virus is a serious threat to the state’s $115 million combined tomato, capsicum and chilli industries.
“The NSW control order is in place to protect NSW from the disease and allow industry to safely trade in fresh produce, seedlings and seeds.”
“Biosecurity is a top priority for the NSW Government and if problems arise in other states, we need to take swift and urgent action to protect our industries.
“I encourage all growers to look out for signs of the virus in tomato, capsicum and chilli crops.
“There is no risk to food safety or human health from eating tomatoes with the virus.”
