Supporting Victorian growers to maintain market access

26 November 2025

Agriculture Victoria is supporting growers moving tomato potato psyllid (TTP) host or carrier plants and plant products interstate to navigate new requirements set to be in place from 8 December 2025.

Victoria’s Chief Plant Health Officer, Dr Rosa Crnov, said new arrangements were in place for businesses to be certified under, following a new detection of tomato potato psyllid outside of the restricted Area in Melbourne’s northern suburbs in October.

‘We’re working with the horticulture industry to rapidly implement arrangements to minimise trade disruptions and maintain market access to other states.

‘Restrictions are expected to be in place from Monday 8 December and growers can move their plants and produce interstate if they have the right certifications in place and follow the necessary biosecurity practices.

‘We’re here to help growers and industry with these requirements, which will vary by state and be different for host and carrier plants and products.

‘You can contact us directly for tailored technical support for your business or visit the Agriculture Victoria website for more information,’ Dr Crnov said.

Fees for plant biosecurity services (application fees, audits, non-conformance reports) are waived until 30 June 2026 as part of the Victorian Government’s Drought Support Package.

Tomato potato psyllid (Bactericera cockerelli) is a small insect that feeds on solanaceous hosts such as tomato, potato, eggplant, chili and capsicum, and was detected in Victoria for the first time on 12 November 2024 on the Bellarine Peninsula.

A restricted area was established since the initial detection in November 2024 to contain the pest from spreading further into other areas of Victoria.

TPP can spread a serious plant disease known as ‘zebra chip’ in potatoes when it is infected with the Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum (CLso) bacterium. CLso has not been detected in Victoria or anywhere in Australia.

Victorian tomato producers and backyard gardeners are encouraged to monitor their crops and to contact Agriculture Victoria if they suspect TPP might be present. Reports can be made:

For more information on TPP please visit Tomato potato psyllid.

Media contact: media@deeca.vic.gov.au