State and federal biosecurity authorities have confirmed that they found the potato mop-top virus in tableland crops on Tasmania’s north-west coast. It is the first detection of the virus anywhere in Australia. This blight crazes and decays the skin and meat of potatoes. It jeopardizes the state’s lucrative potato industry, valued at about $300 million annually. The detection has resulted in swift action being taken by Biosecurity Tasmania, as well as raising alarm bells among local growers and state government members.
Gavin Pearce, Tasmania’s Minister for Primary Industries and a potato farmer in the region, emphasized the need for vigilance among local growers. From what he told us, an area incident management team had been formed so that strategic operations could get the situation under control quickly and effectively. Pearce, who aims to maintain Tasmania’s reputation as the “potato capital” of Australia, acknowledged that this incident highlights potential weaknesses in the state’s biosecurity protocols.
Symptoms and Impact of the Virus
Like many viruses, the potato mop-top virus can induce a wide range of symptoms. One of the first signs is stunted foliage, from which the disease took its name. Due to its ability to drastically impact potato yield and quality, the virus poses major risks to farmers across the river. During the 2023/24 crop year, Tasmania grew an incredible 479 thousand tonnes of potatoes, Australia’s leading potato growing state by far. Should this virus attack the crop, there would be dire economic repercussions.
Leigh Elphinstone, another potato farmer, said no one knows what the virus means for growers. Because first, as he emphasized, it is early. Much more analysis will require to paint a complete picture.
“It’s just early days and at the moment, it is just a small detection.” – Leigh Elphinstone
Biosecurity Tasmania’s chief plant protection officer, Dr Susanna Driessen, said accepting the virus as a “plant pest” was critical. She even promised Congress that it wouldn’t be harmful to human health. She emphasized the need for quick action to contain the virus and stop its further spread.
Biosecurity Measures and Future Actions
Biosecurity Tasmania has since called on all farmers to be vigilant for any suspicious signs of disease among their potato plants. Government officials are now scrambling to keep the virus from spreading beyond that one affected farm. Once they knew what happened, Dr. Driessen described how they planned to use tracing methods. They are trying to ascertain the extent this virus has spread and if its penetrance is restricted.
“[We will] trace forward, trace back … to find out potentially how far spread this virus might be or how limited in spread this virus might be.” – Dr. Driessen
Pearce, in his post, lamented that this must be taken as evidence of a major breakdown in biosecurity procedures. Mr. O’Neill spoke to the important part that Tasmania’s biosecurity measures, including experience gained during the pandemic, play in helping Tasmanian agricultural industries to thrive.
“We need to contain the outbreak to the single farm it has been detected on.” – Nathan Calman
Farmers’ Perspectives on Challenges Ahead
While farmers adjust to this new, unfortunate challenge, there remains an unsettling feeling of what the future holds. Elphinstone emphasized that growers will have to adjust to and deal with greater risk from this newly discovered virus.
“But it’s just another risk that growers will have to take on in their business and manage some way or another.” – Leigh Elphinstone
As Biosecurity Tasmania and local farmers toiled together, the pandemic pivot became almost literal. If their efforts are successful, there is hope for effectively managing the potato mop-top virus. Even with these obstacles, Pearce is still hopeful for Tasmania’s continued success as the country’s top seed potato producer.
“We’ve got a plan in progress now that delivers on that posture and helps our industry.” – Gavin Pearce
