Plan follows detection of the virus on a fresh tomato property located in the Northern Adelaide Plains in August
The National Management Group (NMG), comprising representatives from all Australian governments and affected industry signatories to the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed (EPPRD), has issued an official statement outlining the approved National Response Plan to eradicate tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV).
The plan includes agreed measures such as ongoing testing, surveillance and monitoring as well as a return to trade approach for impacted South Australian tomato, capsicum and chilli growers. It details the destruction and decontamination process affected businesses must undergo prior to returning to trade including the sampling programme used to prove eradication.
As part of the statement, the NMG revealed it has committed A$5mn to achieve these response objectives. The Response Plan is being nationally cost shared by governments and industry under the EPPRD, it said.
The South Australia Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) will continue to lead the nationally coordinated and funded response, working with property owners and industry to undertake appropriate response activities. According to PIRSA, some of the businesses impacted by the implementation of the plan may be eligible for owner reimbursement costs under the EPPRD. However, as the fresh tomato industry are not signatories to the EPPRD, the South Australian state government through PIRSA is also investigating what other national support arrangements can be offered.
As one of the signatories of the EPPRD, industry body Ausveg has been working to ensure its list of principles are reflected in the response plan on behalf of the impacted levy-paying industries it represents.
“Guided by these principles, Ausveg remains committed to working with the CCEPP and the NMG to progress the response plan to eradicate ToBRFV from Australia,” Ausveg said in a statement.
