Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit virus Detected in Victoria

A foreign plant virus that severely damaged South Australia's tomato crop has been found in Victoria. Agriculture Victoria announced that a glasshouse in the Goulburn Valley had been placed under quarantine following the discovery of the virus.

When the virus was discovered in South Australia, interstate import prohibitions and crop destruction were implemented. The virus lowers tomato, capsicum, and chili crop yields by up to 70%, yet it does not endanger the safety of the food for people who consume the contaminated fruit and vegetables.

Victoria's chief plant health officer Rosa Crnov stated the virus was found after seedlings were moved from a South Australian vicinity to a Victorian business, but the outbreak was contained.

Agriculture Victoria said that the pilot program permitting the transfer of plants between Victoria and South Australia had been halted and that all impacted plants in the Goulburn Valley glasshouse were being destroyed. Authorities were certain that the virus had not spread to any other parts of Victoria, according to Dr. Crnov.

About 70% of the country's processed tomatoes, which are used to make goods like canned tomatoes, sold across markets globally, are produced in Victoria, according to Horticulture Innovation.