Alerts

The purpose of this notification is to advise stakeholders of upcoming changes to remove specific testing requirements for Tomato chlorotic dwarf viroid on tomato seed for sowing.

Who does this affect?
Importers (and their customs brokers) of tomato seed for sowing and department staff.

Key points:

• The department has reviewed the regulatory status of Tomato chlorotic dwarf viroid in Australia. As a result, Tomato chlorotic dwarf viroid is now considered a non quarantine pest for Australia.
• Effective 12 March 2024, mandatory Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing for Tomato chlorotic dwarf viroid on tomato seed for sowing will no longer be required.
• Affected permit holders will be notified, and the department will vary import permits (at no charge) on 12 March 2024.

Background:
The department has determined that Tomato chlorotic dwarf viroid no longer meets the definition of a quarantine pest given it is present in Australia and not under official control in any state or territory.

Further information:
Please contact Plant Import Operations on 1800 900 090 or email imports@aff.gov.au (please title the subject line of the email ‘Plant T2 – seed for sowing’).