Victoria’s Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) has reported the discovery of an infected plant during clean-up operations at the Katunga glasshouse.
The original discovery of the Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus at Katunga was made in January and the property has been quarantined since then.
As a part of National ToBRFV Response Plan, the infected property is replanting glasshouses and testing seedlings as they arrive.
This testing has found a new positive detection of ToBRFV.
The source of the infection is under investigation.
DEECA said that 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.
The seedlings were sourced from a commercial nursery in NSW, 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 was working closely with the business to prevent 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,” Dr Dibley said.
“There is no evidence that ToBRFV is present in any other location in Victoria.”
There is no risk to food safety or human health from eating tomatoes with this virus.
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