At least 120 jobs lost after Victorian farm confirms tomato virus detection

At least 120 jobs are believed to have been lost at Victorian glasshouse tomato farm Katunga Fresh, two weeks after it received seedlings from the tomato-virus-affected South Australia.

Agriculture Victoria confirmed tomato brown rugose fruit virus was detected in seedlings at the farm in January.

Katunga Fresh is now under biosecurity control.

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Moira Shire Council said it understood at least 120 staff had been affected.

The council is providing support to the local community and employees while it works with government agencies to contain the detection.

"The detection of tomato brown rugose fruit virus in tomato plants at Katunga Fresh is devastating news for the local business and our community, and we know it will affect many people," council chair Graeme Emonson said.

"Moira Shire will continue to work closely with Katunga Fresh, their employees and families, local businesses and the wider community to support them through the challenges ahead."

The council has established a support hub at the local recreation reserve, which will bring together information and agencies from tomorrow.

9news.com.au has contacted Katunga Fresh for comment.

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What's the latest on the tomato virus outbreak in Australia?

Tomato virus is highly contagious and affects tomatoes, capsicums and chillies.

The Australian government said it posed a serious threat to the tomato industry and growers. It has no risk to food safety or human health.

Tomato virus reached Australian soil when three properties in the Northern Adelaide Plains in South Australia were confirmed to be infected in August.

The properties were put under quarantine and decontaminated.

New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia and Tasmania have implemented restrictions on tomato, capsicum and chilli seeds, seedlings and fruit from South Australia.

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Following a national agreement on a pilot protocol to support trade, tomato seedlings were moved from a decontaminated production nursery in South Australia to Katunga Fresh in Victoria in mid-December.

After two weeks of surveilling the seedlings, authorities detected tomato virus in the plant.

Katunga Fresh is being quarantined.

According to Agriculture Victoria, there is no evidence that the tomato virus is present anywhere else in the state.

Victoria has halted all tomato-related movements to the state in the meantime.

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