Surveillance by the Department of Agriculture has confirmed the successful eradication of Potato Virus Y (PVY) from Western Australia (WA).

Department HortGuard coordinator Andrew Reeves said the Potato Growers Association and the Department supported the eradication of PVY and formed an incident committee using the Potato HortGuard plan to eradicate this virus.

“In January 2004, routine surveillance of all generation two material (G2) by the Department found symptomatic plants that were tested and found to be positive for PVY,” Mr Reeve said.

“A comprehensive trace forward and trace back process was initiated and a total of four south coast properties were found to have PVY.

“The Department developed a protocol for infected crops that covered insect treatments and monitoring, removal of infected plants and virus testing of all adjacent crops.”

Mr Reeve said growers were encouraged to examine crops for suspect plants and report any unusual symptoms to AGWEST plant Labs for testing.

WA Potato Association president Jim Turley said the cooperation of growers, the association and the Department during the eradication program was critical to its success.

Mr Turley said the affected growers had worked closely with Department staff to ensure all diseased crops were destroyed and this was to the benefit of the whole of the industry.