Western Australia has implemented temporary restrictions to protect its valuable tomato industry from the Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus, confirmed in Queensland in March this year.

The Department of Agriculture and Food has restricted the importation of plant material (excluding fruit and seeds) from known hosts of the virus. This includes tomatoes, capsicums, French beans and some ornamental species entering Western Australia from other States/Territories. 

The Department’s Director for Plant Biosecurity Dr Shashi Sharma said Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus was a particularly serious virus for the tomato industry, stunting tomato growth and limiting yields. 

“While the exotic virus has only been recorded in Queensland, there is the possibility it could have spread to other States and Territories,” Dr Sharma said.

“These emergency measures are required until the disease risk is further assessed, to protect Western Australian plant industry at risk from this virus” he said.

The farm gate value of the tomato industry in Western Australia is estimated to be around $30 million.

“The Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl virus has never been recorded in Western Australia. If it spread to the West it could be particularly devastating for the tomato and capsicum industry in Carnarvon, where the vector silverleaf whitefly is present. This vector aids in the rapid spread of the virus,” Dr Sharma said.