As an outcome of the industry-government Potato mop-top virus (PMTV) meeting in Melbourne on 18 November 2025, it was agreed AUSVEG would convene a working group to work though trade and market access challenges being faced by industry as a result of restrictions imposed on the movement of potato produce following the detection of PMTV in Tasmania.

The group, comprising seed, ware and processing potato sector representation from across the country, as well as state government and SMART (sub committee for market access, risk and trade) representatives, has now convened through online meetings chaired by AUSVEG.

This group will continue to meet regularly as it works towards the below objectives:

1. A national risk and evidence-based approach on movement of potatoes across the country (domestic trade), supported by science.
2. A harmonised / uniform approach to pest prevalence, area freedom claims, movement and trade.
3. Future focused regulation.

The initial task for the working was to agree on and recommend to the state jurisdictions how industry would like PMTV to be considered moving forward.

The initial outcomes from the first two meetings of the working group on 9 and 15 December are summarised below.

Key Outcomes from the initial working group meetings

The following was agreed by the working group as a recommendation from industry to the state governments in managing PMTV in seed.

Industry recommendations to state jurisdictions as a forward – Seed

1.  An approach to area Freedom / pest free places of production based on:

• • scale (including linkages) / stages of detection / incursion. Same principle would be applicable for Tasmania

1. 1. 1. Pockets/ Isolated detection
      2. Widespread detection

2. A National Approach (not an eastern seaboard one like TPP) including plant protection districts and national seed certification standards.

3. Based in principles of free trade. Enable risk-based trade

4. Agreed national protocols on testing – assurance and agreement. Including traceability of seed and data and details of what’s in the seed.

5. A systems approach to movement of seed with an objective to minimizing risk of spread (not zero risk). This could include an

1. • assurance package as part of an industry management plan

1. 1. 1. Biosecurity measures
      2. Testing
      3. Surveillance etc.
      4. Farm history
      5. Linkages to infected locations
      6. Soil testing
      7. Seed testing
      8. Others

The group will continue to meet to work on potato movement and risk mitigation measures across the country, as part of the ongoing approach to managing PMTV following its detection in Tasmania.

Once agreement has been reached by the working group (and wider group), AUSVEG will present a paper to the Plant Health Committee (PHC) on behalf of the industry.

For any queries please contact Zarmeen Hassan, AUSVEG National Manager – Biosecurity and Extension zarmeen.hassan@ausveg.com.au