New Zealand tomato exports to six countries have been stopped, after the pepino mosaic virus (PepMV) was discovered on crops.
According to local website www.rnz.co.nz The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has notified Australia, Japan, Thailand, Fiji, Tonga, and New Caledonia about the disease affecting New Zealand tomatoes, because these countries consider PepMV a quarantine risk. MPI had temporarily suspended export certification to these markets, the ministry's response controller David Yard said.
Discovery of PepMV
For some weeks Biosecurity New Zealand and the tomato industry have been investigating the discovery in New Zealand of the pepino mosaic virus (PepMV). The virus was first detected in an Auckland glasshouse operation and has subsequently been found in a handful of tomato production facilities in the wider Auckland region.
The premises where PepMV has been found are able to continue operating and selling fruit under strengthened hygiene conditions. However, there may be restrictions on exporting to markets who are known to consider PepMV of quarantine concern.
PepMV is a virus that can cause pepino mosaic disease – predominantly in tomatoes, but potentially in other solanaceous plants including potatoes and eggplants. "It’s not yet certain how badly PepMV would affect tomato crops in New Zealand. It appears to have minor foliage effects on younger plants, but as the plant ages, can cause mottling of the fruit itself," the team with TomatoesNZ shares. They have developed advice on Pepino Mosaic Virus for growers.
"Now the virus has been confirmed in several facilities, it is considered possible that it may be distributed more widely in the country’s tomato growing operations. For this reason, we strongly encourage all growers of tomatoes to follow careful biosecurity procedures on their properties," they say. The virus can be asymptomatic or have very mild symptoms so it is important that you remain vigilant with hygiene, especially with equipment, plant material and people that are moving on and off site.
The risk of transmission of the disease through selling fruit is considered low.
It is important to note that while PepMV can affect tomato production, it does not present any food safety concern or risk to people. New Zealand grown tomatoes are perfectly safe to eat.
Read more about the precautions and the actions to take at TomatoesNZ.