By Lucy Waldron
As of 13 September, new movement restrictions have been implemented in Queensland under the Movement Control Order (MCO) to reduce the risk of the Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV).
The virus poses a serious threat to Australia’s tomato industry, affecting tomato, capsicum, and chilli plants.
Previously, the MCO only restricted the movement of tomato seeds, seedlings, fruit, and related carriers. However, the new regulations now extend these restrictions to include capsicum and chilli seeds, seedlings, fruit, and carriers.
Additionally, any packaging or containers used for transporting tomato, capsicum, and chilli into Queensland from South Australia must either be new and unused or meet stringent cleaning and sanitising requirements.
Just as the Virus was hitting the headlines Granite Belt Growers Association Industry Officer Narissa Corfe told Stanthorpe Warwick Today that it has a number of the region’s growers worried.
“There is a very distinct concern coming up with the new season, where everyone is starting to plant that they will be exposing themselves to receiving contaminated seeds,” Narissa said.
ToBRFV can remain infectious on surfaces for months, highlighting the importance of strict biosecurity and hygiene practices within Queensland. In response, growers must now ensure all packaging and containers brought onto production properties from any source meet the new biosecurity standards.
For more information, growers are encouraged to contact the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries via email at info@daf.qld.gov.au.
