Industry Working Together to Protect New Zealand Tomato Growers and Workers

As the dust begins to settle in Australia following last year’s detections of Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV) in South Australia and the more recent positive detection in Victoria, concerns are growing among New Zealand tomato producers. The Australian industry — including Protected Cropping Australia (PCA) — is actively lobbying for ToBRFV to be removed from Australia’s quarantine list and reclassified as a “manageable” virus. This push is raising serious questions among growers: how much disruption and loss must the industry suffer before such a decision is justified?

If I were an Australian tomato grower, I too would want this reclassification to happen quickly. The severe shutdowns imposed on greenhouses with confirmed ToBRFV cases are likely discouraging honest reporting, as growers fear losing their operations. This hesitancy could have serious consequences, especially given how rapidly the virus can spread once it gains a foothold.

Whatever path Australia chooses the implications for New Zealand growers are significant — especially for those still fighting to eradicate Pepino Mosaic Virus (PepMV) on their properties. A dual outbreak of ToBRFV and PepMV would be potentially devastating, particularly as New Zealand still lacks approval for a PepMV inoculant.

In recent days, dropping temperatures and shorter daylight hours are beginning to impact local production, and this trend is expected to continue in the coming weeks. Many growers have already avoided planting during high energy input periods, and the likelihood of a winter tomato shortage is growing — though I sincerely hope that proves wrong.

A seemingly simple solution — opening New Zealand’s borders to Australian tomato imports — carries unacceptable risks. If ToBRFV crosses the Tasman, the consequences for our industry could be catastrophic.

Fortunately, seed companies are investing in the development of higher-yielding, ToBRFV-resistant varieties. But this research takes time, and in the meantime, every extra day that New Zealand can keep ToBRFV out is vital. It helps safeguard the thousands of workers employed in our greenhouse tomato industry.

We deeply appreciate the work done by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) in partnership with TomatoesNZ under the Government Industry Agreement (GIA). Their continued collaboration has been invaluable for the growers I represent, and we thank them for their unwavering efforts.

If you have any comments or would like to discuss this topic, or require a hygiene audit/advice please email stefan@grower2grower.co.nz

see related article below:

https://www.hortidaily.com/article/9702028/australian-growers-stunned-by-tobrfv-greenhouse-clearance/

‘The Australian sector and the PCA (Protected Cropping Australia), is intensively lobbying to have ToBRFV removed from Australia’s quarantine list and to have the virus classified as “manageable.” The question growers are asking is how much pain the industry has to endure before they reach that point.’