Argentinian phytosanitary alert in for the Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus

The National Agricultural Health Service of Argentina (Senasa) has issued a phytosanitary alert for the entire national territory for the Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV), a virus that damages tomato and pepper crops.

The measure, which will be in force until December 31, 2024, was published today in the Official Gazette through Resolution 569/2023. The goal of the measure is to strengthen actions -via public-private inter-institutional work- to map the ToBRFV situation in the country, contain any outbreaks, prevent the virus from spreading, and inform producers and society about the situation.

The resolution establishes the prevention, detection, containment, and eradication measures related to this virus. Reporting suspected symptoms of the disease is mandatory.

It also establishes a Crisis Committee, which will be coordinated by Senasa and which will consist of the National Directorate of Plant Protection, the National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA), the National Seed Institute (INASE), official research centers, universities, provincial governments, representatives of the private and public sectors, and other institutions dealing with the issue.

Senasa, INTA, and INASE will organize a cycle of technical talks to provide information about the virus and make recommendations to growers, cultivation technicians, and other industry professionals. The first talks will be held online on July 11. On the 12th, the technical talks will be held live in the province of Salta.

It's essential that anybody who suspects the disease is present in a field does not touch the possibly contaminated plants, that they isolate the sector, and that they inform the nearest Senasa, INASE, or INTA office about the situation.