Potato growers and industry representatives from across the country have provided their views and perspectives on the approach to managing Potato mop-top virus (PMTV) during a government-industry meeting in Melbourne yesterday.

Potato Mop-Top Virus (PMTV)

The meeting, comprising more than 50 potato industry, grower and State and Federal Government biosecurity agency representatives was convened by AUSVEG to bring relevant stakeholders together, and ensure the concerns and needs of potato growers nationally are heard and reflected as the transition to managing PMTV continues following its detection in Tasmania earlier this year.

With PMTV having been declared not technically feasible to eradicate, and Biosecurity Tasmania having wound down its formal biosecurity response, managing the virus is now the responsibility of industry, through the potato production process.

PMTV has only been confirmed as present in Tasmania, with restrictions remaining in place on the movement of potatoes to the mainland. While PMTV affects potato crops, it is important to note it has no impact on human health.

Alongside spirited debate and technical updates, the meeting recorded strong support for establishing a harmonised national approach to testing, surveillance and monitoring for PMTV. The meeting also endorsed the establishment of a working group – comprising regulators and representatives from across the country and various potato production sectors – to work through the practicalities of that harmonised approach.

There was also strong support for AUSVEG to take forward the establishment of a unified national seed certification system.

AUSVEG CEO Michael Coote said, “AUSVEG’s intent in convening this meeting was to ensure the views and concerns of potato growers from across the country are heard by government representatives from all state and federal jurisdictions and reflected in the national approach to managing PMTV into the future.

“While PMTV has been declared not technically feasible to eradicate, it is clear moving to management of the virus requires careful and delicate consideration to preserve existing market channels and to protect potato growers’ interests.

“The message coming loud and clear from potato growers across the country is that we cannot afford to drop our guard, and a coordinated national effort is needed to facilitate ongoing trade where possible, while containing and mitigating the risk of further spread, based on the evidence.

“As the approach to managing the virus nationally continues, it will be crucial for all state and federal biosecurity agencies and regulators to continue working cooperatively and collaboratively with the entire potato production sector to ensure the concerns and needs of Australia’s potato growers are heard, and the integrity of the national industry protected.”