Biosecurity Tasmania has transferred management of the potato mop-top virus (PMTV) to the state's potato industry following the conclusion of its formal response activities.
PMTV was first detected in potatoes harvested from a farm in northwestern Tasmania in July and has since been found at multiple sites across the state. In September, authorities determined that eradication was not technically feasible due to the widespread presence of powdery scab, the soil-borne vector of the virus, the difficulty of identifying all infected areas, and the virus's ability to persist undetected in soil where powdery scab is present.
© Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania
Primary Industries Minister Gavin Pearce previously stated that "the virus was here to stay," while Biosecurity Tasmania confirmed that "to the best of our knowledge, PMTV has not been eradicated anywhere it has been detected globally."
"Once the response winds down, PMTV will become a pest to be managed through the potato production process," a spokesperson for Biosecurity Tasmania said.
The department has urged growers to implement crop rotation strategies, maintain strong biosecurity hygiene, manage powdery scab levels, and consider using potato varieties with greater tolerance to the virus. "Biosecurity Tasmania will continue to work with the industry to understand how PMTV is best managed in Tasmania, particularly when it comes to market access requirements," the department stated.
All previous movement directions placed on affected premises will be lifted, and tracing and surveillance activities will end. To support long-term management, Biosecurity Tasmania will issue a General Biosecurity Direction (GBD) outlining measures aimed at slowing the virus's spread. The GBD will provide guidance on vehicle and machinery clean-down to reduce soil transfer and best practices for powdery scab management.
The Tasmanian government has allocated A$200,000 (approximately US$130,000) to the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture for research into long-term PMTV management.
Biosecurity Tasmania thanked the potato sector for its collaboration during the response phase and acknowledged the broader community's cooperation since the virus's initial detection.
Source: Tasmanian Country
