SA tomato farmer Harry Kapiris out of pocket as virus continues to strike crops

·

South Australian farmer Harry Kapiris is among many that has reported positive tests for tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV), which is set to cost the industry “tens of millions of dollars.”

This has forced Kapiris to let go of 30 staff members and incurring losses of approximately $1 million, and with the virus persisting there is a palpable sense of anxiety amid the uncertainty.

“It’s not a good feeling to destroy perfectly good-looking crops. It’s heart-wrenching,” he told ABC.

“We had a couple of positive results in two [glasshouses] out of probably about 20 or 25 [glasshouses]. We made the decision as a family to scrap the season thus far and try and start again.”

Photo: Growing Produce.

However, starting over is proving challenging. Both state and federal governments have yet to establish a formal process for growers to demonstrate that their properties are free of the virus, which has left Kapiris frustrated.

“They should be aware of it and they should have a plan in place if this virus comes in… But everyone got caught with their pants down, for want of a better adage, just walking around and saying, ‘Well, where’d it come from? What’s happening?’ And really not knowing what to do,” Kapiris concluded.

Source: ABC News.

Cretan Convention - Web Banner

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

From crisis to compassion: Timos Roussos and his family’s mercy mission in war-torn Cyprus

When Turkish troops landed on Cyprus on 20 July 1974, six-year-old Timos Roussos was sitting on the floor of his family’s home in Lemesos.

A granddaughter returns: Georgia Georgiou retraces her yiayia’s occupied village in Cyprus

When Georgia Georgiou handed over her Cypriot ID at the border checkpoint to cross into occupied northern Cyprus, she felt an ache.

‘You never get over it’: A childhood shattered by the Turkish invasion of Cyprus

On a warm July morning in 1974, 10-year-old Anastasia Di Loreto (née Karatzia) was jolted awake by the sound of bombs falling on Kyrenia.

Cyprus: The paradox of tolerance and impunity for Turkey

The lack of a unified, systematic and practical strategy on the part of Greece has led the Cyprus crisis into national disarray.

Lost homes and lingering hope: Greek-Cypriots reflect on Turkish invasion and its aftermath

From hidden stories to haunting memories, two Greek-Cypriot men share what it means to carry the burden of Cyprus’ past.

You May Also Like

Greece to repay bailout loans a decade early amid strong economic rebound

Greece plans to repay its first bailout loans by 2031 — ten years ahead of schedule — Finance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis has confirmed.

Karpathos named on National Geographic’s list of breathtaking places around the world

The island of Karpathos has been named on National Geographic’s 2023 List of Breathtaking Places Around the World.

Steven Michael Patestos granted bail after being allegedly found with cocaine

Steven Michael Patestos, 56, has been granted bail with strict conditions after being allegedly caught with a "wholesale" amount of cocaine.