Australia’s biosecurity system is among the most stringent in the world, but even the best defences can falter. In a sobering development, two major pest incursions, Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) and the Polyphagous shot-hole borer (PSHB), have officially moved from eradication to long-term management. These decisions mark a critical turning point in how Australia responds when containment is no longer possible.
ToBRFV: A persistent viral threat
On 29 May 2025, the National Management Group (NMG) declared that ToBRFV is no longer technically feasible to eradicate from Australia [1]. Despite early detection and rigorous containment efforts by PIRSA and Agriculture Victoria, the virus has spread beyond control. The decision followed technical assessments by the Consultative Committee on Emergency Plant Pests (CCEPP) and consultations with the tomato and capsicum industries.
ToBRFV, which causes severe damage to tomato and capsicum crops, was kept out of Australia until 2024 through strict biosecurity measures. However, its high transmissibility and resilience have made eradication unviable. The focus now shifts to developing a national management strategy, with continued containment measures in place during the transition [1].
Shot-hole borer: A beetle that beat the system
Just weeks later, on 18 June 2025, the NMG reached a similar conclusion regarding the Polyphagous shot-hole borer, a tiny beetle with a devastating impact on trees. First detected in Perth in 2021, PSHB has proven nearly impossible to eliminate due to its cryptic nature, rapid reproduction and symbiotic relationship with a pathogenic fungus.
The response has now transitioned to a management phase, with the Western Australian Cook Government allocating $26.5 million in the 2025-26 State Budget to support containment and research [2]. Two quarantine zones remain in place in Perth to slow the spread, and new research projects are underway to explore chemical treatments and improve surveillance [3].
What happens when containment fails
These two cases illustrate the real-world consequences of biosecurity failure:
- Economic impact: Both pests threaten multi-billion-dollar industries – horticulture in the case of ToBRFV, and urban forestry and agriculture for PSHB.
- Ecological damage: PSHB alone affects more than 500 tree species globally, posing a long-term threat to biodiversity and urban green spaces.
- Shift in responsibility: Once eradication is abandoned, the burden of management shifts to local governments, industries and communities.
- Policy implications: These failures highlight the need for faster diagnostics, better surveillance and more flexible response frameworks.
A new era of biosecurity
Australia’s biosecurity system has long relied on the ‘detect and eradicate’ model. But as global trade, climate change, and pest mobility increase, experts warn that living with pests may become the new norm. The challenge now is to build resilience, not just barriers.
The stories of ToBRFV and PSHB are not just about pests; they are about preparedness, adaptability, and the urgent need to rethink how we protect Australia’s agricultural and ecological assets in an increasingly interconnected world.
ToBRFV and shot-hole borer lessons for phylloxera control
1. South Australia’s unique vulnerability
South Australia is currently phylloxera-free, making it one of the few wine-producing regions in the world with this status. This gives the state a competitive advantage in global markets, especially for high-value wines made from aged own-rooted vines. A phylloxera incursion would:
- Devastate vineyards, especially those with non-resistant rootstocks. More than 75% of South Australia is planted on susceptible own-roots.
- Force replanting with resistant rootstock, costing billions and taking decades to recover.
- Destroy market positioning based on phylloxera-free branding, and some of the oldest grapevines in the world
2. Lessons from ToBRFV and PSHB
Both ToBRFV and PSHB show what happens when:
- Early containment fails due to delayed detection or underestimation of spread.
- Eradication becomes unfeasible, shifting the burden to long-term management.
- Industry and community bear the cost, with government support often limited to transition phases.
If phylloxera were to breach South Australia’s borders:
- Eradication would likely be impossible, as seen in Victoria and NSW.
- Containment zones would be established, but phylloxera’s underground lifecycle makes it hard to detect and control.
- Transition to management would mean living with the pest, something South Australia has worked for more than 125 years to avoid.
3. Strategic implications
- Prevention is paramount: Unlike ToBRFV or PSHB, where management is possible, phylloxera’s impact is more permanent and economically catastrophic.
- Surveillance and traceability must be airtight, especially for machinery, planting material, and soil movement.
- Rapid response protocols must be ready to deploy within hours, not days.
4. Public and industry awareness
The ToBRFV and PSHB cases show that biosecurity is not just a government responsibility. Growers, contractors, tourists, and even wine consumers must understand the stakes. A single breach, like contaminated boots or vineyard equipment, could trigger a statewide crisis.
[1] National Management Group Communiqué: Tomato brown rugose fruit … – DAFF [2] National shot-hole borer response transitions to management [3] Polyphagous shot-hole borer | Department of Primary Industries and …