South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales have introduced new import rules for Tasmanian potatoes after potato mop-top virus was detected at eight sites across the state.
The restrictions apply to unprocessed potato imports and are designed to protect mainland crops from the destructive plant disease.
The virus spreads through a soil-borne fungus and can slash yields, making it a major headache for growers.
Primary Industries Minister Gavin Pearce stressed the measures were not “a blanket ban on potato exports” but admitted the outbreak was serious.
“As new export conditions are rolled out, we will continue to stand side by side with industry as we navigate these changes,” Pearce said.
Pearce spent Thursday meeting growers, contractors and exporters in the wake of the latest detections.
He has also written to the federal government, seeking an assistance package for affected farmers.
“We are taking this very seriously and our absolute focus is on supporting Tasmania’s farming communities, ensuring they have what they need so they can get on and do what they do best,” he said.
He noted that countries such as New Zealand “have lived with mop-top for years now and they have learnt to live with it.”
The economic fallout for Tasmanian producers remains unclear as industry works through the different conditions imposed by each mainland state.
Potato mop-top virus poses a significant biosecurity challenge for Australian agriculture.
The pathogen can lie dormant in soil for years and is notoriously hard to eradicate once it takes hold.
Biosecurity Tasmania is urging growers to keep a close eye on crops and report any unusual signs of disease.
