On January 5, Agriculture Victoria unveiled a new procedure aimed at facilitating interstate trade for produce from protected cropping systems. Dubbed the Pest Free Production Site for Tomato Potato Psyllid (PS–66), this initiative comes in response to recent detections of the tomato potato psyllid, which led to new movement restrictions starting December 8, 2025.
Victoria’s Chief Plant Health Officer, Dr. Rosa Crnov, emphasized the importance of this development. “We have developed 13 procedures for Victorian growers to maintain market access and issued 326 certificates of accreditation. This enables quick responses to market demand, reduces delays, and ensures compliance with interstate movement rules,” she stated.
Ensuring Market Access Amid New Restrictions
The introduction of the PS–66 procedure is a strategic move to help businesses demonstrate property freedom from the tomato potato psyllid (TPP) and maintain market access to key states such as Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania. Dr. Crnov noted, “The new Pest Free Production Site procedure provides protected cropping growers with an additional accredited pathway to continue trading into these regions.”
This development follows a series of detections of TPP, a small sap-sucking insect that poses a significant threat to solanaceous crops including tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants, capsicums, and chillies. Although TPP can transmit the serious plant disease known as ‘zebra chip’ when infected with the CLso bacterium, there have been no detections of CLso in Victoria or anywhere in Australia.
Collaborative Efforts and Government Support
Dr. Crnov highlighted the collaborative efforts between the government and industry to minimize disruptions. “We’re working closely with industry to ensure growers understand the surveillance, trapping, monitoring, and auditing requirements needed to meet interstate biosecurity rules,” she explained.
As part of the Victorian Government’s Drought Support Package, fees associated with plant biosecurity services related to TPP, including application fees, audits, and nonconformance reports, are waived until June 30, 2026. This financial relief aims to support growers in adapting to new biosecurity measures without incurring additional costs.
Understanding the Threat of Tomato Potato Psyllid
The tomato potato psyllid (Bactericera cockerelli) is notorious for affecting a variety of crops, posing a significant risk to agricultural productivity. While the insect itself is damaging, the greater threat lies in its potential to spread the ‘zebra chip’ disease, which can devastate crop yields and quality.
“TPP can transmit the serious plant disease ‘zebra chip’ when infected with the CLso bacterium, but CLso has not been detected in Victoria or anywhere in Australia.”
To safeguard against this threat, Victorian producers and home gardeners are encouraged to actively monitor their crops and report any suspicious detections. This proactive approach is vital in preventing the spread of TPP and ensuring the continued health of Victoria’s agricultural sector.
Looking Ahead
The introduction of the PS–66 procedure marks a significant step forward in maintaining Victoria’s agricultural integrity and market access. As the state continues to navigate the challenges posed by TPP, the collaboration between government and industry remains crucial.
Moving forward, the focus will be on refining these procedures and ensuring that all stakeholders are equipped with the necessary knowledge and resources to comply with biosecurity measures. This proactive stance not only protects Victoria’s crops but also strengthens its position in the national and international agricultural markets.
For more information on how to report suspect detections or to learn about the PS–66 procedure, stakeholders are encouraged to contact Agriculture Victoria directly.
