A new era for protected cropping has arrived! 🌱 🌟
As of January 7, 2026, Agriculture Victoria has implemented a groundbreaking procedure to facilitate interstate trade of produce from protected cropping systems. The focus? Ensuring freedom from the pesky Tomato Potato Psyllid (PS–66).
But here's where it gets controversial... Recent detections of this tiny pest have led to movement restrictions, leaving growers with a challenge. Enter Dr. Rosa Crnov, Victoria's Chief Plant Health Officer, who has developed a strategy to maintain market access.
'We've created 13 procedures and issued 326 certificates of accreditation. This ensures Victorian growers can swiftly respond to market demands and comply with interstate movement rules,' Dr. Crnov explains.
The new Pest Free Production Site procedure is a game-changer, offering protected cropping growers an accredited pathway to trade with Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania.
'We're committed to minimizing disruptions and ensuring growers understand the surveillance, trapping, and monitoring processes,' Dr. Crnov adds.
And this is the part most people miss... As part of the Victorian Government's Drought Support Package, fees for plant biosecurity services related to TPP are waived until June 30, 2026.
TPP (Bactericera cockerelli) is a tiny sap-sucking insect that targets solanaceous crops. While it can transmit the 'zebra chip' disease when infected with CLso bacterium, CLso hasn't been detected in Victoria or Australia.
Victorian producers and home gardeners are encouraged to be vigilant and report any suspicious detections.
For more information, visit the tomato potato psyllid page.
So, what do you think? Is this new procedure a game-changer for protected cropping? Or are there potential challenges we haven't considered? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
