Katunga glasshouse clean up continuing

An Agriculture Victoria spokesperson said they were assisting with the safe removal and disposal of plant materials, decontamination of the premises and will coordinate diagnostic testing to get the business back into operation as soon as possible.

“Under national response plan requirements, testing at the property will continue for at least 12 months to support the business’s return to normal trade,” the spokesperson said.

Tomato brown rugose fruit virus was detected in the tomato glasshouse facility as a result of infected seedlings transported from South Australia in January.

“We expect that destruction, disposal and decontamination activities will be completed at the property in the coming weeks, followed by a two-week fallow (empty) period in the glasshouses,” the spokesperson said.

“After this time, the business can commence replanting.”

Tomato brown rugose fruit virus is a highly contagious plant virus that affects tomatoes, capsicums and chillies. The virus is a serious threat to Australia’s tomato, capsicum and chilli industries.

Agriculture Victoria said activities at the site are in line with the industry agreed national response plan.