Potato growers and industry representatives in Tasmania report that the mop-top virus is having very little impact on local agriculture. The virus was first detected on a Tasmanian farm in July of the previous year, marking the first time it had been found in Australia. However, traceback investigations suggested that the virus may have been present in Tasmania for up to two years prior to its detection. Authorities have since determined that eradication is not feasible and have shifted their focus to the long-term management of the virus.
Doug Clark, manager of the Tasmanian Certified Seed Potato Scheme (TasSeed), stated that mop-top no longer poses a threat to farmers, noting that only a very small percentage of certified seed lines tested positive. He described the situation as “a storm in a teacup.” Potato farmers Stuart Applebee and Nathan Richardson echoed this sentiment, with Applebee saying the virus has had no impact on any grower and that “no one is talking about it.” Richardson added that mop-top is “well down the list” of concerns for the potato industry.
