Potato Mop-Top Virus Update: Infected spuds found on supermarket shelves

Biosecurity Tasmania is working to trace the source of two potatoes infected with potato mop-top virus that were purchased from retail outlets last week.

In addition to those two spuds, another specimen which tested positive for PMTV was found at a processing site.

These three new cases are yet to be linked to any known infected sites, of which there are currently eight confirmed across the state. Six of the sites of concern are grower sites, while the remaining two include a small research facility in the state's south and a storage facility in the north.

PMTV was first detected and confirmed at a farm in Tasmania's north-west, marking the first the virus has ever been found in Australia.

The disease poses no risk to human health but can significantly impact yield for farmers, while distorting the skin and flesh of potatoes. 

Biosecurity Tasmania is continuing to work with each individual impac​ted property, to understand their business needs and how continuity of production may occur on their property, whilst minimising the risk of spread of the virus both within and out of their property.

In recent weeks, Victoria, New South Wales, and South Australia have all introduced restrictions on potato imports from Tasmania. Victoria has implemented a 12-month ban on potatoes from Tasmanian farms linked to PMTV - potatoes from unaffected sites may still be exported if they meet quality requirements.

New South Wales and South Australia have also placed import restrictions.