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NZ temporarily halts Australian tomato imports due to ‘virus threat’

Tomato virus news
Stock photo.

Biosecurity New Zealand has temporarily suspended all tomato imports from Australia for a review period of seven days following the detection of the ‘Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus’ (ToBRFV) in South Australia.

The Ministry for Primary Industries had previously restricted some imports but allowed tomatoes from Queensland, where the virus has not been detected.

The ‘virus’, which affects tomatoes, capsicums, and chillies, causes significant damage to the fruits, leading to spotting, discolouration, and deformities, severely impacting their market value.

However, it poses no risk to human health.

Tomatoes NZ chairperson Barry O’Neil expressed serious concerns about the potential impact of ToBRFV on New Zealand’s greenhouse tomato and capsicum industry, warning that the virus could lead to devastating crop losses of up to 80 percent if it were to enter the country.

He told media the best strategy is to prevent the virus from reaching New Zealand, with ongoing discussions between industry leaders and government officials on how to achieve this. O’Neil also highlighted the importance of strict hygiene measures for growers as a secondary line of defense should the virus make its way into the country.

Image credit: Anda Ambrosini

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2 COMMENTS

  1. How many biologicals are dropped in the chemtrails?
    Easy to dump spores in the mix.
    No different to poisoning the well.
    A well known cultist operation.
    Insect eggs also.
    The groomerican funded biolabs in satanic ukraine were developing avian flu gain if research strains to be spread by migrating birds.
    These threats are real.
    Time to clean OUR house.
    PUT THE RUBBISH OUT

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