Potato mop-top virus importation restrictions established

1 September 2025

Potato mop-top virus (PMTV) has recently been detected in Tasmania and poses a threat to the Victorian potato industry. As such, Agriculture Victoria has established new conditions on the importation of potatoes from Tasmania to protect Victoria’s potato production and market access.

Prohibitions, restrictions and conditions

The entry or importation into Victoria of any of the following host material is prohibited:

  • Seed potatoes
  • Potato plants
  • Potatoes intended for ware or processing
  • Soil and agricultural equipment
  • Plants in tissue culture

This prohibition excludes processed potato products.

The prohibition does not apply if one of the following conditions applies:

  1. The host material originates from an area with a current area freedom certificate, issued by the responsible agricultural authority in a state, certifying that the area is free from PMTV.
  2. The host material (ware and processing potatoes) meets the following conditions:
    1. Ware potatoes sourced from a property that is not infected or linked and are:
      1. free from soil and plant material
      2. graded, inspected and found free of visual symptoms of powdery scab
      3. in packaging marked with the words ‘for human consumption and not for planting’ and the name and location of the person or business that grew and/or packed the potatoes.
    2. Processing potatoes sourced from a property that is not infected or linked and are:
      1. free from soil and plant material
      2. graded, inspected and found free of visual symptoms of powdery scab.
  3. The materials are diagnostic samples that are securely packaged and labelled and consigned to a BC2-approved laboratory.
  4. The host material enters Victoria under and in accordance with a permit issued by an inspector and all permit conditions are complied with.

Inspections on arrival may be requested, and consignments must meet all requirements.

Applying for a permit

If you wish to import host material that does not meet the exemptions listed above, you will need to apply for and be issued a permit from Agriculture Victoria. Permits will be considered on a case-by-case basis where the risk can be managed. To apply for a permit, visit the Plant biosecurity permit page or contact market.access@agriculture.vic.gov.au

What is PMTV?

  • PMTV is a serious potato disease that was recently detected in Tasmania.
  • The virus is carried and transmitted by Spongospora subterranea, the soil-borne organism that also causes powdery scab in potatoes.
  • PMTV infection leads to brown, arc-shaped or ring-like markings inside potato tubers, which reduce their quality and market value.
  • Above ground, infected plants may show symptoms such as mottled leaves, vein clearing, leaf distortion and overall stunted growth.

For more information, see the fact sheet produced by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania (nre.tas.gov.au/Documents/Potato%20mop-top%20virus%20detection%20information%20sheet.pdf).

If you think you have seen PMTV symptoms, report to Agriculture Victoria

If you see symptoms of PMTV on potato crops, report it to Agriculture Victoria via one of the following:

Further information

For further information on implementing the above requirements, and for any permit applications or enquiries about the implications of this update, please visit Potato mop-top virus or contact Agriculture Victoria at email market.access@agriculture.vic.gov.au

Page last updated: 08 Sep 2025