In a significant blow to the vegetable industry in Western Australia the tomato potato psyllid has been found in three regional locations outside of the Perth quarantine zone.
The Department of Agriculture and Food WA (DAFWA) chief plant biosecurity officer, John van Schagen, said he now suspects the psyllid could have been in the state for two or more years.
"Seeing it is right across the metropolitan area and now those regional areas it could mean that it's been here for two or more years," he said.
Mr van Schagen said the department had now found the psyllid on three commercial horticulture properties in Gingin, Yarloop and Busselton, and that the Perth quarantine zone may now be extended north to include Gingin.
Mr Van Schagen said the department was working on a protocol to allow Carnarvon growers to access seedlings and was also working on a test for the zebra chip disease.
source: abc.net.au
