South Australian Tomato Grower Blamed for Spread of Damaging Plant Virus to Victoria

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South Australian Tomato Grower Blamed for Spread of Damaging Plant Virus to Victoria

A Miscommunication Leads to the Spread of a Damaging Plant Virus

A South Australian tomato grower has been blamed for the spread of a damaging plant virus to Victoria. The virus, known as the brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV), can cut tomato plant growth by 70%.

The virus was found in Victoria after an "unauthorised movement of material" from South Australia. The pilot program that allowed this movement has since been suspended.

The grower, Peter Petsios, claims he only transported the infected plants because the South Australian government failed to respond to his calls prior to his scheduled departure. His company, SA Tomato, was one of three SA businesses that tested positive for ToBRFV in August 2022.

Petsios claims he was given approval in November to grow and deliver an order to Victorian business Katunga Fresh. This trade was done under a "pilot protocol trial to support trade", according to Victorian chief health plant officer Rosa Crnov.

However, when Petsios called the South Australian authorities to get the final plant health certificate before transporting the seedlings, he claims he never received a response.

The South Australian government disputes this claim, stating that Petsios was informed "on numerous occasions of the national testing requirements if they wanted to ship product to Victoria" and that the company needed written authority from the department "before any product could leave the property".

The virus was confirmed at Katunga Fresh on January 17, but the Victorian government said the outbreak was "contained" given it was in an enclosed greenhouse.

No impact on supermarket tomatoes has been reported yet. Risk assessments are ongoing to ensure the virus has not spread further.