ToBRFV has been detected in seedlings arriving at a quarantined Victorian glasshouse
Investigations have begun into the source of a new tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) detection in Victoria as industry has expressed frustration with the current eradication-focused response plan.
According to a release from Agriculture Victoria on 16 May, the single infected property in the state has been replanting glasshouses and testing seedlings as they arrive, as a part of National ToBRFV Response Plan. This testing has found a new positive detection of ToBRFV.
“The source of the infection is under investigation. Given that the seedlings had only been on the property for a few days, it is unlikely that this new detection has originated from the Victorian property,” Agriculture Victoria said.,
“The seedlings were sourced from a commercial nursery in New South Wales, where there have been no previous detections or links to the virus.”
Victoria’s chief plant health officer, Stephen Dibley said quarantine controls remain in place at the Victorian property and Agriculture Victoria is working closely with the business to prevent the spread of the virus.
“We know this is a very challenging situation for the impacted business. Supporting business continuity and the welfare of all affected parties are central to our work,” said Dibley.
‘‘There is no evidence that ToBRFV is present in any other location in Victoria.”
ToBRFV was detected in South Australia in August 2024 and is known to be present on four properties in South Australia and confirmed in Victoria in January 2025.
In November, the National ToBRFV Response Plan was formulated with the aim of eradicating ToBRFV. It’s an approach that some of the industry has become frustrated with.
An opinion piece penned by Andrew Tout, chair of industry body Protected Cropping Australia (PCA), called for governments to move from ‘eradication’ to ‘management’ of the virus.
Tout said the “extreme” biosecurity response has been worse than the disease, with not a single plant lost to the virus in Australia.
“Growers are afraid of the whirlwind of government-sanctioned destruction that will be visited on them if the disease is detected on their farms,” said Tout.
“No one in the industry wants to follow the suffering of growers in South Australia and Victoria, whose crops have been decimated under a mandatory eradication response since ToBRFV was first reported in Australia last year.
All the losses here are due to the eradication measures, resulting in millions of dollars of lost revenue, destroyed millions of perfectly healthy plants, as well as seeing thousands of farm workers lose their jobs and livelihoods,” he added.
“Shortages of tomatoes on supermarket shelves could emerge, if this policy continues and more outbreaks occur, which they surely will.”
He argued the disease is present all over the world and only a fraction of imported seed shipments can be checked, so it is bound to reappear.
“The good news is that the experience overseas shows that the disease is also relatively easy to manage. Grower experience in the US, UK and EU shows that yields and the supply of high-quality tomatoes to consumers can be maintained, without the need to resort to excessive destruction measures, using proven horticultural management techniques,” said Tout.
“Australia’s tomato growers already manage plant pests and diseases on a daily basis, and they have extensive experience doing so.”
Tout said there needs to be a focus on managing the situation, not chasing unachievable goals and devastating growers in the process.
“Of course, it’s desirable for Australia to remain free of exotic plant pests, but that can’t be guaranteed once a virus is already on our shores and in a country that must import seeds to feed its population,” he said.
“We want to see more rigorous, and publicly documented, accountability for biosecurity decision-making and, fundamentally, a more balanced approach.
“Our industry needs protecting from the destruction, and the expertise, good judgement and self-interest of our growers need to be valued and respected.”
