Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV) has been detected in a Victorian tomato glasshouse, linked to seedlings moved from South Australia. This new outbreak raises concerns about biosecurity and trade practices, prompting strict quarantine measures and a coordinated effort to prevent the virus from spreading across Australia’s agricultural sector.
Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV) in Victoria: A Growing Concern for Australian Agriculture
The Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV) has recently been detected in a tomato glasshouse facility in Victoria, Australia, sparking alarm among agricultural professionals and farmers. This virus, which is known for its potential to cause severe damage to tomato crops, was identified in seedlings that had been moved from South Australia without the necessary authorization.
A Misstep in Trade Protocols
The seedlings, which were moved in mid-December 2024, were part of a pilot protocol designed to support trade between states. According to Victoria’s chief plant health officer, Rosa Crnov, the movement of these seedlings occurred from a decontaminated production nursery in South Australia to a Victorian business. However, upon notification that a plant grown from these seedlings tested positive for the virus in South Australia, Agriculture Victoria swiftly implemented movement controls on the affected glasshouse property. Extensive surveillance was then conducted, leading to the identification of an infected plant at the Victorian facility.
While the virus has been confined to this specific incident, and there is no evidence that ToBRFV is present elsewhere in Victoria, the situation remains critical. The infected seedlings were kept in biosecurity-controlled glasshouses away from other plants to prevent potential cross-contamination. Nevertheless, the virus’s discovery has prompted heightened concerns about the broader agricultural implications for the state and the country.
The Threat of ToBRFV
ToBRFV is a serious concern for the tomato industry, as it can cause significant economic losses by affecting tomato yield and quality. The virus leads to symptoms such as rugose (wrinkled) fruit and stunted growth, which reduces both the marketability and the harvestable volume of affected crops. Once introduced to a region, it can spread quickly through mechanical transmission, often facilitated by workers, tools, and equipment that come into contact with infected plants.
While ToBRFV was initially a concern in international tomato-growing regions, it is now a growing threat within Australia, which has long prided itself on its strong biosecurity measures. The detection in Victoria has led to strict biosecurity controls being implemented on the entire property, including restrictions on the movement of host products until further investigations are conducted.
Biosecurity Measures and Efforts to Eradicate the Virus
In response to the detection, Agriculture Victoria has placed the affected property under biosecurity control and has been working closely with the business to ensure the virus is eradicated. The actions taken are in line with the nationally agreed response plan, which is currently in place in South Australia. This response plan aims to eradicate the virus from Australia and prevent its spread to other regions, including the rest of Victoria.
Crnov emphasized that Agriculture Victoria remains confident that the rest of the state is free from ToBRFV, and monitoring will continue to ensure the virus does not spread further. Additionally, the pilot protocol for moving seedlings from South Australia to Victoria has been halted, preventing further risk of transmission.
Strengthening Biosecurity Measures
This recent detection of ToBRFV in Victoria serves as a reminder of the ongoing biosecurity challenges faced by Australian agriculture. As the country grapples with this new threat, it is essential for farmers, agronomists, and agricultural professionals to remain vigilant and adhere to strict biosecurity protocols. The ability to quickly identify and contain outbreaks, as demonstrated by Agriculture Victoria’s swift response, is critical in safeguarding Australia’s tomato industry and preventing the widespread impacts of ToBRFV.
It is also vital that the agricultural sector continues to collaborate, ensuring that national trade protocols are followed, and that any movements of plant material between states are rigorously monitored to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
