Alerts

Update to staff and importers for Phase 2 of emergency measures to manage Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) in imported tomato and capsicum seed.

Key changes:

1. Addition of PCR test for ToBRFV in Phase 2 of emergency measures using a department approved protocol.
   

2. Department approved protocols/s can be found on the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources website.
   

3. The department will accept both PCR and ELISA testing on seed lots tested prior to 15 April 2019. Seed lots tested on or after 15 April 2019 must be tested using a department-approved PCR protocol only.
   

Phase 2: Mandatory ELISA or PCR testing for ToBRFV using a seed sample of 20,000 seed
Consignments that are shipped between midnight 31 March 2019 and midnight preceding 15 April 2019 will be subject to mandatory testing by either:

• Option 1: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for ToBRFV; OR
  

• Option 2: PCR testing using a department approved protocol for ToBRFV.
  

Option 1: ELISA test for ToBRFV using a seed sample of 20,000 seed
The ELISA test for ToBRFV can only be undertaken for consignments shipped between midnight 31 March 2019 and midnight preceding 15 April 2019.

The ELISA testing can only be undertaken offshore.

Seeds must be tested by an approved enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and found free of ToBRFV with a sample size of 20,000 seeds for large seed lots (or 20 per cent for small seed lots) using either of the following commercially available kits:

• AGDIA ELISA test for Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV); or
  

• Prime Diagnostics for Tomato mosaic virus (ToMV).
  

Phytosanitary certification will be required to attest to the testing requirements, and/or corresponding laboratory reports (that link to the phytosanitary certificate and seed lot) confirming seed was found free of ToBRFV. Laboratory reports must confirm an approved ELISA test kit was used.

The laboratory report must state:

1. the seed species tested,
   

2. that a minimum seed sample was tested,
   

3. the name of the commercial kit used,
   

4. the test result confirming freedom from ToBRFV,
   

5. the lot/batch number(s), and these numbers must match the Phytosanitary certificate,
   

6. the date, the laboratory name and address.
   

Where phytosanitary certification is not presented or not accepted, consignments are subject to onshore testing in Australia at a sample size of 20,000 seeds for large seed lots or 20% of the seed lot by weight for small seed lots.

For large seed lots
Where a sample of seed is submitted for ELISA testing for ToBRFV, the laboratory is unable to use this sample to perform both the ELISA test for ToBRFV and the mandatory testing for other viruses/viroids. Separate samples are required.

For small seed lots
For ELISA testing for ToBRFV, a seed sample for small seed lots needs to be 20% by weight up to a maximum of 20,000 seeds.

For the testing of the remaining virus/viroids by PCR, a seed sample for small seed lots needs to be 20% by weight up to a maximum of 20,000 seeds.

The laboratory is unable to use the same sample to perform both the ELISA test for ToBRFV and the test for other viruses/viroids. Separate samples are required.

Option 2: PCR test for ToBRFV using a seed sample of 20,000 seed
The PCR test for ToBRFV can be undertaken for all consignments shipped after midnight 31 March 2019.

This test can be undertaken offshore or onshore at a department approved laboratory.

Seeds must be tested using a department approved PCR test and found free of ToBRFV with a sample size of 20,000 seeds for large seed lots (or 20 per cent for small seed lots).

Phytosanitary certification will be required to attest to the testing requirements, and/or corresponding laboratory reports (that link to the phytosanitary certificate and seed lot) confirming seed was found free of ToBRFV. Laboratory reports must confirm the protocol that was used.

The laboratory report must state:

1. the seed species tested,
   

2. that a minimum seed sample was tested,
   

3. the name of the PCR protocol that was used, which must be on the list of department approved protocols,
   

4. the test result confirming freedom from ToBRFV,
   

5. the lot/batch number(s), and these numbers must match the phytosanitary certificate,
   

6. the date, the laboratory name and address.
   

Where phytosanitary certification is not presented or not accepted, consignments are subject to onshore testing in Australia at a sample size of 20,000 seeds for large seed lots or 20% of the seed lot by weight for small seed lots.

Department approved protocol
The list of department approved PCR protocols can be found on the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources website.

Phase 3: PCR testing for ToBRFV using 20,000 seed sample
After midnight preceding the 15 April 2019, only department-approved PCR protocols for ToBRFV from phase 2 will be accepted.

Import permits

• All current import permit holders will be notified of the proposed emergency conditions.
  

• Import permits will be varied to reflect the emergency conditions for Phase 2. The department plans to vary all affected import permits by 1 April 2019.
  

Further Information
Please contact Plant Import Operations on 1800 900 090 or email imports@agriculture.gov.au (please title the subject line of the email with ‘Tomato and Capsicum seed emergency measures, Plant T2”.)