Authorities in every state and territory in Australia are on extreme alert. They recently found the very contagious Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV) spreading here in Victoria. This virus severely stunts, deforms and yellows tomato, capsicum and chilli crops. As it has done elsewhere across the world, it has already led to catastrophic crop losses. The current outbreak in Victoria, for example, is linked to a commercial nursery – Katunga Fresh. All of a sudden, they were finding infected seedlings in their own facility.
The virus initially spread from outbreaks on three infected properties in South Australia, where it was quickly contained. As the issue develops, New South Wales (NSW) officials are looking deeply into. They are examining possible links to the newly detected cases in Victoria. The presence of the virus at a nursery in NSW, a state previously unassociated with ToBRFV, raises further concerns about its spread.
Investigations Underway
Agriculture Victoria has been investigating the source of the Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus. Stephen Dibley, a representative from Agriculture Victoria, highlighted the importance of on-going control measures at Katunga Fresh. He comforted the nation. There is still no indication that the virus has spread further outside this particular site in Victoria.
“We’re continuing to do our investigations on where potentially this virus has come from,” – Stephen Dibley
The NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has stated that the NSW nursery is “not known to have received any material from any of the infected businesses in South Australia or Victoria.” There’s a catch. This assertion makes it even more complicated as federal and state authorities continue to try and pinpoint the origins of the virus.
Dr John McDonald, Biosecurity Director said that the consultative committee has been instrumental in ongoing discussions about the new detection in NSW. He assured that DPIRD is hard at work on investigations and tracing efforts in connection with this unfolding situation.
Economic Impact and Crop Losses
Yield impacts from the Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus could be as high as 70%. This has created tremendous operational and economic burdens on growers and their workers. Victoria is most at risk, as the state grows around 70 percent of Australia’s processing tomatoes. This virus does not only impact agriculture alone. It has already resulted in hundreds of lost American jobs from previous outbreaks.
Dibley expressed empathy for those affected by the virus, describing it as a “very challenging situation for the impacted business.” The economic impact is profound. Growers experience immediate impacts from crop loss, but they incur risks from quarantine measures that can significantly interrupt their operations.
“We know this is a very challenging situation for the impacted business,” – Stephen Dibley
Yet, despite the dire implications of ToBRFV, health officials are telling us not to panic. Consumption of infected fruit is completely safe and does not pose any risk to human health. The damage to agricultural operations continues to be devastating.
Continuous Monitoring and Control Measures
Ongoing surveillance is critical while governments and border patrollers deploy efforts to control and limit the movement of ToBRFV. The virus re-appeared in the same precursor glasshouse up in northern Victoria. This is the place where it first took off back in January. As authorities remain vigilant, ongoing control measures at Katunga Fresh demonstrate a commitment to managing this outbreak effectively.
As the beta phase continues, officials are quick to highlight that the key to success lies within collaboration between producers and local entrepreneurs. Agriculture Victoria’s current investigations will go a long way towards making sure potential links between areas are consistently and comprehensively investigated and resolved.
“Once conclusively negative diagnostic results showed the virus was not present in the seedlings,” – NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) spokesperson
