Overview

• The outbreak remains confined to the initial north-west Tasmanian farm, affecting multiple potato varieties with no further detections.
• A dedicated Incident Management Team is tracing forward and backward movements and enforcing on-farm biosecurity measures to limit spread.
• Authorities stress there is no risk to human health and have not imposed any statewide trade restrictions but are urging growers to monitor and report symptoms.
• New Zealand’s 2018 experience with the soil-borne virus indicates eradication is unlikely and underscores the need for early comprehensive surveying.
• Plans are underway for national surveys and collaboration with industry groups to develop long-term management strategies for Tasmania’s $300 million potato sector.