Several SA tomato farms quarantined to control spread of tomato brown rugose fruit virus

A contagious virus has forced health authorities to quarantine a major grower, over fears it could cripple the state’s $230m tomato industry.

Quarantines have been slapped on three South Australian tomato farms including a major producer, in a bid to stop the spread of a highly-contagious virus targeting the fruit.

Tomato brown rugose fruit virus was detected in the state for the first time last month, forcing Western Australia and Queensland to ban imports from the $230m local market.

On Wednesday, the state government completely cordoned off the sites, and major grower Perfection Fresh said that it risks sacking up to 500 mostly overseas workers and losing $27m in stock.

While the virus poses no human risk, it causes “brown wrinkled spots, deformations and uneven ripening” which can reduce the marketable yield by 75 per cent, according to the Department of Primary Industries and Regions SA.

Examples of stock affected by tomato brown rugose fruit virus. Picture: Department of Primary Industries SA

Primary Industries Minister Clare Scriven defended the response and said protecting the industry was the government’s first priority, while a workers’ assistance hub opening tomorrow would offer financial counselling and help employees find other jobs.

“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,” Ms Scriven said.

PIRSA director plant and invasive species biosecurity Nick Secomb said eradication was “entirely possible” but he expected the farms would remain closed for “several weeks” at least.

The Perfection Fresh Glasshouse at Two Wells has been temporarily quarantined to control the spread of tomato brown rugose fruit virus. Picture: Perfection Fresh

“It has been agreed at the national level that this is a very significant disease and warrants further attention,” Mr Secomb said.

“The important thing to note is that by taking this decision, which was not taken lightly, is that we have the opportunity to show confidence to other states that we have this disease contained.”

Mr Secomb said 18 other sites were also tested but so far no further positive readings have been returned.

Perfection Fresh chief executive Michael Simonetta said that all laid off workers would receive full entitlements but that “hundreds of thousands of tonnes” of fruit had been destroyed.

“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,” Mr Simonetta 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.

“We would hope to re-hire as many as possible when production resumes in the future but, in the meantime, our only option is to help them find work elsewhere.”

Shadow Primary Industries Minister Dr Nicola Centofanti said the government should consider compensation for struggling growers.

“The related businesses deserve and will need support while this outbreak is managed, to minimise impact on the region, the industry and the people,” Dr Centofanti said.

The other quarantined farms are Gawler River Tomatoes and South Australia Tomatoes, all which are on the Adelaide Plains.