Aussie tomato farms shut down over 'very significant' virus threat
The tomato brown rugose fruit virus was first detected in the Northern Adelaide Plains last month. And dramatic measures have now been carried out.
Hundreds of employees have been axed after South Australia's government announced a “very significant” virus had forced it to shut down three tomato farms in the state – including the southern hemisphere's biggest grower. Major grower Perfection Fresh broke the news to an estimated 500 workers on Wednesday after the company’s glasshouse in Two Wells was cordoned off by authorities.
Gawler River Tomatoes and South Australia Tomatoes have also been placed on lockdown following the sudden detection of the tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) in the Northern Adelaide Plains. Worryingly, it is the first time the virus — which causes “brown wrinkled spots and deformations” — has been confirmed in the country.
While it is safe for people to consume, the highly-contagious virus that also affects capsicums and chillies could bring the country’s multimillion-dollar tomato industry to its knees.
“The disease can result in a loss of yield of up to 75 per cent so that would have a very significant impact on South Australian and Australian growers more broadly, if that was to occur,” Clare Scriven, SA’s Primary Industries Minister, said during a press conference.
“Other states, if we were not to get on top of this or were not to put this quarantine in place, they would potentially close the doors to South Australian tomatoes.”
West Australia and Queensland have already moved to ban tomato imports from SA.
Tomato grower Frank Pangallo earlier warned the virus could result in dramatic price increase of up to $20-$30 per kilogram.
Tomato farms to be closed for at least 'several weeks'
Scriven said the virus appears to be contained at the three growers. All plants will be removed and the facilities will be disinfected.
Nick Secomb, director of plant and invasive species biosecurity for SA’s Department of Primary Industries and Regions, said the farms are expected to be closed for at least “several weeks” but that eradicating the disease is “entirely possible”.
“It has been agreed at the national level that this is a very significant disease and warrants further attention,” he said, adding another 18 facilities had been tested but had negative results.
Brown rugose can spread “easily through contaminated tools, hands, clothing and direct plant to plant contact”, according to the state’s Department of Primary Industries and Regions.
It can also be seed-borne and remain in plant waste and contaminated soil for months.
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Production Fresh's lockdown 'is simply devastating'
Perfection Fresh’s chief executive Michael Simonetta said the company had been forced to destroy “hundreds of thousands of tonnes” of fruit following the quarantine announcement, Adelaide Now reported.
“While we appreciate the South Australian government’s efforts to contain ToBRFV and recognise the pressure coming from other states, we believe the lockdown of our operations is entirely unnecessary as the virus has been successfully contained,” he said.
“The impact of the lockdown on our employees and their families is simply devastating. With no timeline for when the lockdown might be lifted, we have no choice but to stand down workers, some of whom have been with us for many years.”
A state taskforce has been established to help growers contain the virus and support those who have lost their jobs. A worker assistance hub open from Thursday will connect workers with financial services and offer counselling.
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