Markets are being severely hurt after biosecurity changes in Victoria and New South Wales, put in place in order to stop the spread of the tomato potato psyllid. The new protocols now include a more broad range of WA-grown produce.
Cut flowers, foliage including leafy vegetables and herbs, and fruit of plants from a number of families now must have undergone a pre-shipment methyl bromide fumigation and be inspected before entering the states.
The changes affect a range of crops such as beets, spinach, chickpeas, tamarind, apples, strawberries, nectarines and corn. Jim Trandos from Trandos Farms, Western Australia's largest producer of sweet corn, said increased biosecurity regulations had dealt a massive blow to his business and believes the new protocols will cost the horticulture industry millions of dollars.
source: abc.net.au