The key concerns of Australian potato growers will be heard today during a government-industry Potato mop-top virus (PMTV) meeting in Melbourne.

Potato Mop-Top Virus (PMTV)

During this meeting more than 50 potato industry, grower and State and Federal Government biosecurity agency representatives will hear and consider a range of perspectives and concerns from across the country, as the complexities of managing the virus are worked through.

With PMTV having been declared not technically feasible to eradicate following its detection in Tasmania earlier this year, 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.

By convening this meeting, AUSVEG is seeking to provide potato growers and key stakeholders representing different parts of the national potato industry with the opportunity to provide their perspectives to key government and biosecurity decision-makers from state and federal jurisdictions.

As the only organisation representing potato growers that is a formal party to the Government-industry partnership of the Emergency Plant Pest Response Deed (EPPRD), AUSVEG’s key priority remains to ensure the concerns of potato growers are heard and that the interests and integrity of the national potato industry is protected and preserved.

AUSVEG CEO Michael Coote said, “Since detection in Tasmania earlier this year, PMTV has been a cause of major concern for potato growers around the country.

“The determination that PMTV is not technically feasible to eradicate does not mean we can let our guard down when it comes to protecting potato growers, and our national industry.

“Australia’s national potato industry is complex and multi-faceted, comprising a range of stakeholders and interested parties. In this dynamic environment it is important that, without a pre-determined outcome in mind, we bring parties with skin in the game together, to ensure the views and needs of growers in the national potato industry are reflected in the national approach to managing PMTV as we move forward.

“While as much as possible it will be important to foster a nationally consistent approach to ongoing testing and surveillance for PMTV, fundamentally it is key to ensure the interests of Australian potato growers are protected, and that the integrity of our national potato industry preserved to ensure its future viability.”