Tomato brown rugose fruit virus—South Australia detection
Detection
On 19 August 2024, tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) was found on 2 commercial properties in the northern Adelaide Plains region of South Australia. Since then, a further 2 properties in South Australia have confirmed positive for ToBRFV.
Tomato brown rugose fruit virus is a controlled matter under the Biosecurity Act 2014.
Movement control order
A movement control order (MCO) is in place to stop the movement of the virus and its carriers into Queensland.
The MCO is in effect from 16 December 2024.
Moving carriers from South Australia
Carriers that cannot be moved into Queensland from South Australia include:
- tomato plants, seedlings, seeds, and fruit
- capsicum plants, seedlings, seeds and fruit
- chilli plants, seedlings, seeds and fruit
- other related carriers.
Movements may be authorised under a biosecurity certificate if certain testing requirements have been met or under a permit if there are no linkages with the affected properties.
Tomato, capsicum and chilli packaging and containers coming into Queensland from South Australia, must also be new and unused or else meet cleaning and sanitising requirements.
Moving carriers from other states or territories
If you're moving a carrier into Queensland from a state that is free of the virus, you might need to provide information on the origin or history of the carrier before moving that carrier into Queensland.
Restrictions on packaging in Queensland
Tomato, capsicum and chilli packaging and containers coming onto Queensland farms/facilities from any source must also be new and unused or else meet cleaning and sanitising requirements.
What you need to do
You should practice safe biosecurity measures and report anything suspicious in your plants, crops or fruit immediately.
You should also:
- source clean seed and propagation material from reputable suppliers
- ensure you use thorough hygiene practices such as disinfecting tools, propagating equipment and vehicles
- ensure staff and visitors are trained and follow your biosecurity requirements
- monitor your crops regularly, isolate suspect plants and report anything suspicious
- remove wild tomato plants and other weeds such as nightshade that could act as reservoirs for the virus.