We have completed a pest risk analysis for Pepino mosaic virus and pospiviroids associated with tomato seed.
When we do a risk analysis, we:
- review the science on pests and diseases of concern
- assess and analyse biosecurity risks
- develop risk management measures, if required
- consult the public on the draft report and then review comments
- publish the final report
- publish import conditions in our Biosecurity Import Conditions system (BICON).
About the risk analysis
The importation of tomato seed is currently subject to emergency measures to manage the risks presented by Pepino mosaic virus and certain viroids (pospiviroids). Australia introduced the emergency measures in June 2008 and revised the measures in February, May and November 2012, and November 2013.
We initiated this risk analysis to assess the risks, evaluate the emergency measures, consider ongoing phytosanitary measures and ensure any ongoing measures are technically justified.
Final report
Summary of the final report
We released the final report on 26 February 2021.
This pest risk analysis supports the risk management measures that are in place for Columnea latent viroid (CLVd), Pepper chat fruit viroid (PCFVd), Tomato apical stunt viroid (TASVd), Tomato chlorotic dwarf viroid (TCDVd) and Pepino mosaic virus (PepMV).
Emergency measures for Potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd) will remain in place while the department continues to evaluate the regulatory status of this viroid.
Risk management measures
In addition to the department’s standard seeds for sowing import conditions, a combination of risk management options is recommended for seeds of Solanum lycopersicum (tomato) and hybrids of this species that includes a test or a treatment for each identified pest:
- Option 1. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test—an option that is applicable to all five quarantine pests.
- Option 2. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test—an option that is applicable only to PepMV.
- Option 3. Heat treatment—an option that is applicable only to PepMV.
Your feedback on the draft report
Based on stakeholder comments and a review of scientific literature, we have made a number of changes to the risk analysis. These changes include:
- removal of Tomato planta macho viroid from the risk analysis because there is insufficient evidence that this viroid is associated with the tomato seed for sowing pathway
- retention of an ELISA test as an option to manage the risk of introducing PepMV.
Download submissions on the draft report
Available until February 2022
| Document | Pages | File size |
|---|---|---|
Australian Processing Tomato Research Council PDF |
5 | 213 KB |
| Australian Seed Federation PDF |
9 | 181 KB |
| AUSVEG PDF |
4 | 290 KB |
| International Seed Federation PDF |
2 | 89 KB |
| Western Australia Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development PDF |
5 | 535 KB |
| Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries PDF |
2 | 714 KB |
Published submissions may not meet Australian Government accessibility requirements as they have not been prepared by us. If you have difficulty accessing these files, contact us for help.
Download final report
Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, February 2021.
If you have difficulty accessing this file, visit web accessibility for help.
Draft report
We released the Draft pest risk analysis for Pepino mosaic virus and pospiviroids associated with tomato seed on 8 August 2018 for a 60-calendar day stakeholder consultation period, closing on 8 October 2018.
Download the draft report
Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, August 2018.
Available until February 2022
If you have difficulty accessing these files, visit web accessibility for assistance.
Trade
Tomato industry in Australia
Australian producers rely on the overseas supply of seed for tomato crop production. In 2018-2019, Australia’s production of tomato vegetable was valued at $674.2 million.
Source: Horticulture Innovation Australia—Australia Horticulture Statistics Handbook (2018-19)
Next steps
Notice of the implementation of the revised import conditions will be given on the Biosecurity Import Conditions system (BICON).
Keep informed
Register as a stakeholder
Subscribe to the Biosecurity Risk Analysis Plant to receive notices about plant biosecurity policies.
Contact us
For more information, email imports or phone 1800 900 090 (option 1, option 1).