Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV)

About the virus

Tomato brown rugose fruit virus is an exotic plant disease that affects tomatoes, capsicums and chillies. Listed on the National Priority Plant Pest list, it is highly contagious and regarded as a threat to Australia's $5.8 billion vegetable industry.

ToBRFV could have a significant impact on our vegetable industry, including considerable economic losses due to reduced yield and quality of produce. In tomatoes, ToBRFV can reduce marketable yield by up to 75%.

ToBRFV is easily spread through:

• infected seed, plants for planting, grafts and cuttings
• direct plant to plant contact, including grafting
• touch transmission by handling contaminated tools, gloves, equipment, surfaces, and clothing
• transmission in seeds and irrigation water.

The virus can survive in seeds, plant debris, and contaminated soil for months. Once a crop is infected, the only control action is destroying all affected plants and material.

The process of plant destruction and decontamination can take several weeks depending on the size of the property.

Some weeds, including black nightshade, silverleaf nightshade, and buffalo bur are regarded as hosts for ToBRFV. Potatoes are not known hosts and eggplant is unlikely to host or be affected by the virus.

The virus poses no threat to human health, and it is not a food safety risk. Restrictions are put in place to protect other producers from the impacts on crop yields and marketability.

History

ToBRFV was first detected in the Middle East in 2014 and has since been reported in Europe, the Middle East, China, Mexico and the USA.

The virus has been the subject of 2 previous suspect detections in Australia in 2019 and 2020, but these were subsequently confirmed as negative. The current detection is the first confirmed case of ToBRFV in Australia.

Current situation

The virus has been detected on 3 properties in the Northern Adelaide Plains. Following the confirmation of ToBRFV on 2 properties on 14 August 2024, a third infected property was confirmed on 30 August 2024 after tracing plant materials. PIRSA has implemented quarantine measures on the infected premises to manage the risk of the virus spreading.

An assistance hub has been established to assist workers impacted by the virus outbreak.

Response activities are underway and PIRSA is working closely with affected businesses to help with return to trade.

PIRSA's seed tracing investigations have led to a positive result for ToBRFV in 2 seed lines which were imported into Australia in late May 2024 with appropriate offshore testing certification, including negative results for ToBRFV. These seed lines have links to 2 of the infected properties.

The Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) is responsible for the investigation of the importation of the seeds, and the certification associated with them.

PIRSA surveillance and tracing is robust and PIRSA is confident only 3 properties are infected. This evidence supports eradication and helps minimise trade impacts. Find out more about ToBRFV testing and tracing.

As of 05 December 2024, the response has collected over 9,000 plant samples.

Non-linked properties are allowed to trade with most states and territories, but some states require testing to be completed before growers can access those markets – see Market access for more information.

At this stage, no shortages of tomatoes or price rises are expected as a result of these detections.

National Response Plan

National agreement has now been achieved on the National Eradication Response Plan to eradicate ToBRFV. The plan provides a clear approach to the process for ToBRFV eradication within affected premises but also a return to trade for impacted South Australian growers.

The plan carefully balances the need to eradicate the disease while ensuring that the disease does not spread further while ensuring a safe and measured return to trade for affected businesses.

All government and industry representatives have worked extremely hard on this national response plan to ensure it is fit for purpose and provides clear guidance on how we can eradicate this virus together.

PIRSA will continue to work closely with the infected properties throughout this process, including through dedicated case managers for the infected premises and free support services for all growers.

South Australian laboratory

The first SA-based testing laboratory for ToBRFV has commenced at the Waite campus of the University of Adelaide. This will increase the national testing capacity alongside the 2 approved ToBRFV testing laboratories based in Victoria and New South Wales.

Managed by the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) at its molecular diagnostic centre, the lab will provide critical results on the negative status of ToBRFV for tomato, capsicum, and chilli growers. This allows for certification of the products to access interstate markets.

Testing for both eradication and market access is a priority for the response, enabling SA tomato, capsicum, and chilli growers to meet the requirements to return to trade in Western Australian and Queensland markets.

The lab received biosecurity accreditation from DAFF in October 2024.

Grower update