Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV)

NSW Industry Advice

Current Status

Following technical advice from the Consultative Committee on Emergency Plant Pests (CCEPP), the National Management Group (NMG) has determined that eradication of tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) is not technically feasible.

This means that national ToBRFV management will no longer be through an emergency eradication program.

As ToBRFV is now accepted as present in Australia, ongoing detections may occur as surveillance and testing continue. Industry and government will focus on risk management, containment, and maintaining market confidence rather than eradication.

Detections have been recorded in:

• South Australia | PIRSA – Tomato brown rugose fruit virus updates
• Victoria | Agriculture Victoria – Biosecurity updates
• New South Wales – a detection was confirmed in 2025 and managed under an existing Biosecurity Control Order. NSW continues to maintain and monitor its Area Freedom status for trade.

Queensland, Western Australia, Tasmania, the Northern Territory and the ACT remain free from ToBRFV detections.

Trade and Market Access

ToBRFV is known to impact market access and movement of tomato, capsicum, and chilli plants and produce. Each state and territory applies movement conditions to reduce the risk of spread.

• Market access arrangements remain in place, and ongoing coordination between jurisdictions ensures the safe and continued movement of produce where possible.
• No widespread establishment beyond the originally affected properties has been confirmed in any jurisdiction.
• Businesses should expect further developments in market access requirements as states adapt to ToBRFV’s established status and refine trade protocols.
• The New South Wales Biosecurity (Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus) Control Order is still in force. The control measures outlined in the Order are reasonably necessary to prevent, eliminate, minimise and manage the biosecurity risk of ToBRFV entering NSW.
• New South Wales holds an Area Freedom Certificate recognised by other jurisdictions for trade in host material. A copy can be requested here.
• Queensland continues to recognise Area Freedom Certificates issued by New South Wales and South Australia to support interstate trade.
• South Australia has concluded its eradication activities but maintains market access protocols and an Area Freedom Certificate for unaffected regions.
• Victoria has managed detections under property-level quarantine and decontamination, with the remainder of the state maintaining area freedom.

Businesses trading interstate should:

• Stay up to date with jurisdiction-specific movement conditions.
• Work closely with their supply chain partners to ensure documentation and certification are current.
• Maintain strong on-farm biosecurity practices, including hygiene, disinfection, and monitoring of incoming plant material.
• Seek information from their state biosecurity authority before moving host material interstate.

DPIRD will continue to liaise with other jurisdictions and industry to minimise trade disruption and ensure consistent communication about regulatory changes.

Complete the ToBRFV stakeholder survey

With ToBRFV now accepted as present in Australia, effective communication between government and industry is essential.

NSW has developed a stakeholder survey under SIGMA NSW to capture stakeholder insights regarding the evolving market access situation, including:

• Industry and business realities facing ToBRFV management and market access;
• Clarity of current trade and market access requirements; and
• Priority areas for government or industry support (e.g. testing, extension, or information resources)

Stakeholder feedback will help inform future guidance and communication tools as Australia adapts to the long-term management of ToBRFV.

More information

More information on ToBRFV and its spread can be found here.