The South Australian tomato grower responsible for bringing a damaging plant virus into Victoria says a lack of communication is to blame for the infectious transport. Last week the Victorian government confirmed the brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV), which can cut tomato plant growth by 70 percent, had been found in Victoria for the first time as a result of a plant movement from SA.
Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA) chief plant health manager Nick Secomb told SA Country Hour the virus spread after an "unauthorized movement of material" to Victoria.
Victorian authorities have assured the industry the virus has been contained to one Goulburn Valley glasshouse. The pilot program which allowed transport between the states has since been suspended and uncertainty remains about the viability of transporting seedlings across the border.
Peter Petsios, the SA farmer who brought the infected plants across the border, said he only made the move because the SA government failed to respond to his calls prior to his scheduled departure.
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