Australia's first-ever case of potato mop-top virus confirmed in Tasmania

A disease known as potato mop-top virus has been found in multiple potatoes on a Tasmanian farm.

Potato mop-top virus is an exotic plant virus that can affect developing potato plants, reduce the quality of tuber flesh and impact crop yield in some potato varieties.

The disease has never been detected in Australia before and while it poses no harm to humans, it  can significantly affect yield, meaning it could have a large impact on growers.

This detection was confirmed via diagnostic testing on July 30 2025 and is the first time PMTV has been detected in Australia. Upon receipt of the initial suspected diagnosis, Biosecurity Tasmania established an Incident Management Team and has started emergency response activities.

Control measures are in place to manage the movement of possible risk material including potatoes and soil.​

Biosecurity Tasmania is working with impacted growers and potato industry bodies to conduct additional surveillance and diagnostics of potato stock. Biosecurity Tasmania is also carrying out tracing operations to determine the potential distribution of the virus, which will help to inform response priorities.

The response is in the investigation phase, and next steps including an assessment of the feasibility of eradication, will depend on further information gathered.