A tomato grower in Adelaide sparked concern across the greenhouse industry after claiming on radio that the destructive Tomato brown rugose fruit virus had returned to South Australia. The virus previously caused major disruption in 2024, forcing farm closures and heavy financial losses for growers.
Authorities from Primary Industries and Regions South Australia (PIRSA) quickly rejected the claim, stating there has been no detection of the virus in the past 12 months. Officials believe the grower's crop issues are more likely due to a common plant virus rather than the high-risk pathogen.
Industry body AUSVEG warned that unverified public statements could damage confidence and threaten interstate trade, putting the $300 million greenhouse sector at risk. The industry remains sensitive after the previous outbreak, which led to significant economic losses for individual producers.
South Australia was officially declared free of the virus in October 2025 after extensive testing and containment efforts. Authorities are now seeking to retest the grower's property, reinforcing the importance of accurate reporting, biosecurity compliance, and clear communication to protect the greenhouse industry.
Source: https://7news.com.au
