Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus Not Eradicable
A national decision has been made to stand down eradication of the tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) in Australia and move to management.
The National Management Group made the decision on 29 May based on evidence of repeated introductions of the virus via the seed pathway and the challenges associated with finding all sites where it may be present in Australia.
Furthermore, NMG acknowledged that ToBRFV is difficult to detect at the low levels required for eradication, especially in seeds and seedlings.
This decision comes after the virus was detected following the replanting of glasshouses at a Victorian property that had previously tested negative to the virus.
ToBRFV is a highly contagious plant virus that affects tomatoes, capsicums and chillies, causing reductions in yield and marketability. Affected fruit and vegetables are safe to consume.
ToBRFV was first detected in South Australia last year and is now known to be present at 3 businesses in South Australia.
It was also detected in tomato seedlings at a glasshouse facility in northern Victoria in January this year. The seedlings had been moved from a known infected property in South Australia.
Victoria’s Acting Chief Plant Health Officer Dr Stephen Dibley said the virus’s characteristics and factors relating to the ability to permanently remove it from a facility have contributed to the decision that eradication is no longer feasible.
‘Not only does ToBRFV establish, spread and persist easily in the environment, but has proven difficult to detect and control,’ Dr Dibley said.
Dr Dibley recognised the significant efforts that had been made to contain and eradicate the virus to date.
The response will now move to an interim planning phase to allow the affected industry and government parties, together with other relevant industry stakeholders, to work together to determine the best course of action for an appropriate management strategy and trade protocol for ToBRFV.
‘As we shift our focus from eradication to management, we will work with industry to determine the best long-term strategy for minimising the virus’s impact.’
During this phase, biosecurity conditions will remain on the infected properties to stop the spread of the virus, but there will be no mandated destruction of host material.
Growers should make a report if they suspect the presence of ToBRFV in their crop via the Agriculture Victoria website
https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/about/media-centre/media-releases/2025-releases/tomato-brown-rugose-fruit-virus-not-eradicable