Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus. Photo: Tomatoes NZ
Tomato growers are ramping up biosecurity precautions and imports of tomatoes from most Australian states have been banned after a virus was detected there.
Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV) which effects affects tomatoes, capsicums, and chillies, has been found in two properties in South Australia.
The virus causes spotting, discolouration and deformities, impacting the fruits market value - it has no impact on human health.
Tomatoes NZ chair Barry O'Neil said greenhouse tomato growers were really concerned about the discovery.
"If ToBRFV was to get to New Zealand, it could have dire consequences for our greenhouse tomato and capsicum industry because the virus spreads extremely easily and has such a major impact on production, with reported crop losses of up to 80 percent.
"The best line of defense is to keep the virus out of New Zealand. We are in discussions with government officials and the industry about how to achieve this."
O'Neil said the second-best defense was for growers to follow strict hygiene measures to try and stop ToBRFV from entering a particular property, if it did arrive in the country.
Biosecurity New Zealand director of import and export standards Lisa Winthrop said imports of tomato imports from all Australian states except Queensland were suspended.
All our imported tomatoes from Australia currently come from Queensland and there was no evidence of the disease or links to the affected properties in South Australia, she said.
Biosecurity New Zealand had also placed import restrictions on seed imports from Australia.
"Imported seeds for sowing from Australia will now require testing for the virus prior to arrival in New Zealand, this requirement is already in place for other countries where the virus is present."
Winthrop said Biosecurity New Zealand was in close contact with Australian officials and was monitoring the situation closely.
Tomatoes growing in a greenhouse. Photo: Tomatoes NZ
TomatoesNZ advised growers to take the following precautions:
- If you see anything unusual contact MPI (0800 80 99 66) or TomatoesNZ.
- Restrict access to your greenhouses to you and your employees.
- Have dedicated clothes and shoes to enter the greenhouse.
- Keep all personal possessions out of the greenhouse.
- No tomatoes (eg. in packed lunches) to be brought onto the property.
- Thorough hand washing, sanitising and foot baths were essential.
- Tools, machinery and crates could harbour viruses.
- Those with more than one property should stop movement of employees between sites.