A strong response is in place responding to the detection of an exotic tomato disease – tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV), recently confirmed at three businesses in the Northern Adelaide Plains region.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) has implemented quarantine measures on the infected properties to manage the risk of the spread of the virus.
The detections are the first time that the virus has been confirmed in Australia.
PIRSA has said that South Australians can rest assured that the virus poses no risk to human health, tomatoes currently available for sale are safe to consume, and no shortages of tomatoes or price rises have resulted from these detections.
Response activities underway include surveillance and tracing, and PIRSA is working closely with the affected businesses to address the outbreak. As of 3 September 2024, more than 2,000 plant samples had been taken for testing from 18 businesses, encompassing 84 greenhouses.
It is currently too early in the response to confirm how far the disease may have spread.
South Australia has applied movement controls and quarantine measures within affected premises and at the property boundary to prevent the movement of risk material and minimise cross-contamination.
The Federal and State Governments are concentrated on making surveillance and tracing as robust as possible to ensure absolute confidence in knowing how far the disease may have spread. Having this evidence will help support efforts and help minimise trade impacts.
PIRSA reminds producers, home growers and consumers to immediately report any suspicious symptoms on tomato plants or fruit to the 24/7 Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881.
For further information on ToBRFV visit here.
