Revised emergency measures on tomato seed against Columnea latent viroid, Pepper chat fruit viroid, Tomato apical stunt viroid and Tomato planta macho viroid
DAFF is implementing additional emergency measures on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) seed consignments as viroids have been recently detected in several tomato seed consignments imported to Australia and several viroid species have been identified as risks overseas. DAFF will amend import conditions for tomato seeds immediately such that testing is now required for Columnea latent viroid (CLVd), Pepper chat fruit viroid (PCFVd), Tomato apical stunt viroid (TASVd) and Tomato planta macho viroid (TPMVd).
This is in addition to the current testing required for Pepino mosaic virus (PepMV), Potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd) and Tomato chlorotic dwarf viroid (TCDVd). Testing may be done either offshore or on-arrival. DAFF will reject all consignments found to return positive results for any of these viroids.
All importers and prospective tomato seed importers should note that all future import permits for tomato seed will now be granted with the revised conditions.
Summary of changes:
- DAFF has introduced pre-export or on-arrival seed testing to cover CLVd, PCFVd, TASVd, TPMVd, PSTVd and TCDVd. Testing requires a 20,000 seed sample.
- On-arrival testing for a selection of the pathogens, rather than all, may occur when a Phytosanitary Certificate with an additional declaration for the other pathogen(s) is accepted by DAFF.
- Seed lots of 300g or less may be tested on-arrival for CLVd, PCFVd, TASVd, TPMVd, PSTVd and TCDVd using a smaller seed sample.
- Smaller samples may be pooled. Pooling of samples to save costs is acceptable and where importers acknowledge acceptance of the risk.
- Imported seed lines with fewer than 100 seeds will be grown in a Post-Entry Plant Quarantine (PEPQ) greenhouse and tested at eight weeks by leaf sample testing for CLVd, PCFVd, TASVd, TPMVd, PSTVd and TCDVd andPepMV as required.
- Parent plant testing is only accepted for phytosanitary certification after the testing system has been assessed by DAFF Plant Biosecurity (Grains & Forestry).
Phytosanitary certification or on-arrival testing for CLVd, PCFVd, TASVd, TPMVd, PSTVd, TCDVd and PepMV
If the tomato seed has been certified or tested in the country of origin, each consignment must be accompanied by an official government Phytosanitary Certificate from the country of origin where the seed was grown and be endorsed with the relevant additional declarations concerning Columnea latent viroid, Pepper chat fruit viroid, Tomato apical stunt viroid, Tomato planta macho viroid,Pepino mosaic virus, Potato spindle tuber viroid and Tomato chlorotic dwarf viroid and must be accompanied by the test reports that support the declarations.
Consignments not accompanied by an acceptable Phytosanitary Certificate may be tested on-arrival in Australia at the importer's risk and expense. Consignments shown by testing to carry a quarantinable pathogen will be exported or destroyed at the importer's expense.
Current consignments
DAFF will accept all tomato seed consignments imported under the old permit conditions up until 3 December 2012. Seed that has not been shipped or shipped after 3 December 2012 must meet the new permit conditions.
For more information regarding these changes please visit the Lycopersicon spp. as listed seeds for sowing case
For enquiries please contact:
DAFF Plant Import Operations
Phone: (02) 6272 3917
Email: plantquar@aqis.gov.au