Eradication not possible for new pest

TPP attacks a range of plants in the Solanaceae family including potato, tomato, eggplant, capsicum, chilli and tamarillo.

The psyllid can also carry the bacterium Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum (CLso), which causes zebra chip disease in potatoes, leaving them unmarketable.

TPP was first detected in Perth in February and has since been found on more than 70 WA properties, following on-going surveillance by the Department of Food and Agriculture (DAFWA).

But there has been no detection of CLso.

Emergency interstate movement controls for TPP and CLso were introduced nationwide after the pests were detected and increased restrictions were enforced in Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia across a broader range of WA produce.

Potato Growers Association of WA executive officer Simon Moltoni said the affect on WA potato growers had been devastating.

“We believe we’ll lose growers –particularly seed growers – from our industry which then in the longer term will affect our commercial growers as well,” he said.

“Some (seed growers) have already dumped crops or sold onto the local markets for little return, so that effects the local market.

“We’re concerned that if too many potatoes from the seed growers finish up on the local market, then our fresh growers will be affected by reduced return and there’s a little bit of that happening already.

“I know businesses have started laying off staff who were preparing for harvesting crops last week.

“Even if they can harvest, they’ll be lucky to sell all of their crop.”

Mr Moltoni said he was concerned interstate restrictions were based more on politics than scientific facts.

“The science is supporting our growers’ position that the seed that they’ve grown is clean,” he said.

“It’s the fear of the bacterium that is driving the restrictions, there have been thousands of psyllids that have been tested to see if they’re carrying the bacteria and they’ve all come back negative.