SA on track to eradicate tomato brown rugose fruit virus as Perfection Fresh seeks compo for ‘heavy handed’ state government shutdowns

One of Australia’s largest tomato growers say they deserve compensation but the state government says its actions have saved their industry millions.

One of Australia’s largest tomato growers is seeking more than $20m in compensation from the state government, after its property was shutdown to stop the spread of an infectious virus.

Perfection Fresh has lodged a claim to cover loss of revenue, destroyed crops, operational disruptions and disinfection after the government forced its closure in August.

The Two Wells property was one of three forced to destroy millions of dollars of produce, after being quarantined with Australia’s first detection of the tomato brown rugose fruit virus.

Perfection Fresh’s Annette Pulbrook and Mathew Fergusson inside a greenhouse with tomato plants that are being destroyed at the end of November. Picture: Brett Hartwig

Primary Industries Minister Clare Scriven defended the action to protect the state’s $230m industry, as she urged people to eat local tomatoes this festive period.

“The three properties that have been infected have all put in applications for compensation,” Ms Scriven said on Wednesday.

“What’s key is that it looks like we’re on the path of eradication (of the virus) and, if we achieve that, it will be a world first.

“If left rampant the ongoing impact for growers ... would’ve been absolutely significant.

“They would potentially have had millions of additional costs every year, so eradication was always a goal and we’re on a very good path towards that.”

The government had been slammed by the industry for its heavy-handed approach, which saw thousands of unaffected crops destroyed and some interstate borders shut causing a glut in the local market.

Ms Scriven said WA and Queensland – previously closed to growers – had reopened under certain conditions and a nationally-agreed eradication response plan was now in action.

Primary Industries Minister Clare Scriven .Picture: Mark Brake

South Australians are being urged to eat local tomatoes this festive period. Grower Jack Cafcakis Grower with his harvest. Picture: Brett Hartwig

South Australian chief plant health officer Nick Secomb said the national plan meant affected business could now return to trade by removing affected crops, disinfecting the glasshouse and testing “intensively” when replanting.

“We will continue to sample now and throughout next year to make sure the disease is eradicated, but businesses can return to trade during that period,” Mr Secomb said.

A Perfection Fresh spokesman said their reopening applied to one hectare of glasshouses, compared to 31ha planted with tomatoes when they were shutdown.

“The emotional and financial toll of this outbreak on Perfection Fresh and the broader industry has been immense,” the spokesman said.

Perfection Fresh staff member Annette Pulbrook inside a greenhouse with plants that are being destroyed. Picture: Brett Hartwig

“We estimate our losses to easily exceed $20 million and we will be applying for compensation for these forced losses.

“While the progress towards reopening is a start, this situation underscores the urgent need for timely support and fair compensation to ensure the ongoing viability of affected businesses.”

Horticulture Coalition of SA president Angelo Demasi said the way to help growers was to eat local as “there’s an abundance of it and it’s affordable”.

Opposition spokeswoman Nicola Centofanti said the government must acknowledge the virus – which poses no threat to human health – affected more than just the three infected properties and it must come to the table with meaningful support.