A suspect detection of the exotic tomato brown rugose fruit virus was made during routine testing of chilli seed samples collected from a seed crop grown near Griffith, New South Wales.

The results from secondary testing indicated the virus was not present in the seed samples. Additional testing by a third laboratory also confirmed this result.

Testing for the virus on imported tomato and capsicum seed will continue, in line with the emergency measures put in place by the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment.

If you think your crop may be infected with tomato brown rugose fruit virus phone the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881. This will put you in touch with your local department of primary industries or agriculture.