Tomato Grower's Virus Claim Sparks Industry Alarm in South Australia
A Virginia tomato grower has been accused of endangering South Australia's $300 million greenhouse industry after publicly asserting that a highly destructive virus had returned, a claim that authorities have firmly dismissed as incorrect.
Grower's Radio Statement and Self-Testing
Grower Tony Sacca told 5AA breakfast radio on Wednesday that he believed the brown rugose fruit virus, the same pathogen that led to the shutdown of three Adelaide Plains farms in 2024, had reappeared. He informed 7NEWS that he conducted his own swab test, which he feared indicated a more positive result, but admitted he was too concerned to contact Primary Industries SA (PIRSA) for official testing.
Official Response and Industry Concerns
PIRSA has stated that it last inspected Sacca's plants in December and found no trace of the virus. The department suspects his current crop losses are likely due to a far more common plant virus. Nick Secomb from PIRSA emphasized the importance of reassuring the public, noting that there has been no detection of this disease in South Australia recently or over the past 12 months.
The peak industry body AUSVEG issued a harsh response, warning that Sacca's false claim puts the entire $300 million greenhouse sector at risk of losing interstate trade. In 2024, individual growers reported significant financial impacts from the virus outbreak, with some estimating revenue losses in the hundreds of thousands.
Background and Current Status
As of October 2025, South Australia has been declared free of the brown rugose fruit virus, following more than 200,000 tests and over 14 months of intensive management efforts. PIRSA is now seeking Sacca's permission to return to his property and conduct fresh testing to address the concerns raised.
Grower's Stance and Future Plans
Sacca maintains that he stands by his statements and insists he has nothing to lose. He expressed personal distress, stating, I can't go through this again. Personally, I can't go through it again, and revealed he has decided to walk away from tomato growing altogether.
