In response to the outbreak of Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV) in South Australia, the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) has initiated an Assistance Hub at the Virginia Horticulture Centre. This hub aims to provide comprehensive support to the businesses and workers adversely affected by the virus, offering access to financial, counseling, and redeployment services. The outbreak has notably impacted the state's tomato and capsicum sector, valued at $230 million, leading to significant losses for growers. Among them, Harry Kapiris of Gawler River Tomatoes faced a substantial loss, destroying around $1.1 million worth of tomatoes and losing 30 workers, attributing the outbreak to potential biosecurity lapses with imported seedlings.
The South Australian government has enforced a full ban on stock movement from three farms in the Adelaide Plains as a containment measure. Premier Peter Malinauskas underscored the critical nature of these actions to prevent further spread of the virus. Containment strategies include quarantine, crop destruction, cleanup, and disinfection of affected properties. The Assistance Hub, located at 942 Old Port Wakefield Road, Virginia, is operational Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, complemented by the PIRSA Recovery Hotline for additional assistance. The community is urged to report any suspicions of ToBRFV to the national Exotic Plant Pest Hotline.
Concurrently, the United Workers Union (UWU) has advocated for federal government intervention to provide income support and job assistance for the hundreds of farm workers potentially facing unemployment due to the quarantine measures imposed on infected properties. The UWU has emphasized the necessity of a crisis package for essential food workers that includes income and job assistance alongside a commitment to secure employment. The state government's establishment of the Assistance Hub has been acknowledged as a step forward, with calls for a national industry assistance package to ensure immediate support and secure employment for affected workers post-crisis.
Primary Industries Minister Clare Scriven has indicated that efforts are underway to understand the impact on workers, including those on various visa types, and to stagger potential layoffs to mitigate the impact on the workforce. The federal Department of Employment and Workplace Relations is engaging with stakeholders to assess and address the needs of the impacted workers and businesses.
Sources: Neos Kosmos & HCA Mag