Potato virus detected in Tasmania, first confirmed case in Australia

The potato mop-top virus has been detected for the first time in Australia at a property in the North West of Tasmania.

A farmer informed Biosecurity Tasmania about a potato that raised concerns earlier this year and it was confirmed as mop-top on July 18 following laboratory testing.

The virus can affect the leaves, shoots and tubers of potato plants, distorting the skin and flesh.

Biosecurity Tasmania Chief Plant Officer Susanna Driessen said there were no food safety or human health risks associated with the virus.

“This virus will potentially affect yield through impacts on the plants,” Dr Driessen said.

“But it also causes necrotic symptoms, which is a concern from a potato processing point of view.”

Dr Driessen said the mop-top detection was still in its early stages.

“So what we are doing at the moment is working with industry and working with the grower to understand where material might have moved from and how potentially material came onto the property.

“This is what we refer to as trace forward, trace back, to find out how far spread or how far limited in spread this virus might be.”

Biosecurity Tasmania has set up an incident management team in response to the detection.

Labor Primary Industries spokeswoman Janie Finlay said she had been briefed by the Liberal government on the mop-top detection.

"We are concerned to hear about the detection of potato mop-top virus in Tasmania, and we recognise the potential impact this could have on our potato industry," Ms Finlay said.

"We fully support the actions being taken by the incident management team to contain and manage this outbreak.

"By working together and staying alert, we can help safeguard Tasmania’s reputation for premium produce."