Yesterday I played you an interview I recorded Wednesday afternoon. I went out to Perfection Pressure too well. So this is a company that has been affected by the brown rugos virus. It Hits Tomatoes are a major grower, one of Australia's biggest growers of tomatoes and certainly the states here in South Australia, and they're worried about their future because the shutdown and the taking out, the ripping out of one point to million plants in twenty eight separate, isolated from each other, some on their own, some through airlocks, glasshouses. That many plants is costing them tens of millions and with no end to this insight, they're concerned about their immediate future. This is a little bit of Michael Simonetta, the CEO, And let me just set that up again because you won't be able to hear it for the time being. Here we go, let's try them again. Michael Simonetta.

Yesterday I played you an interview I recorded Wednesday afternoon. I went out to Perfection Pressure too well. So this is a company that has been affected by the brown rugos virus. It Hits Tomatoes are a major grower, one of Australia's biggest growers of tomatoes and certainly the states here in South Australia, and they're worried about their future because the shutdown and the taking out, the ripping out of one point to million plants in twenty eight separate, isolated from each other, some on their own, some through airlocks, glasshouses. That many plants is costing them tens of millions and with no end to this insight, they're concerned about their immediate future. This is a little bit of Michael Simonetta, the CEO, And let me just set that up again because you won't be able to hear it for the time being. Here we go, let's try them again. Michael Simonetta.

It's absolutely distressing. It's heartbreaking for the team here. It's tens of millions of dollars. We're losing here because we have been shut out of production for what we believe to be no real good reason.

It's absolutely distressing. It's heartbreaking for the team here. It's tens of millions of dollars. We're losing here because we have been shut out of production for what we believe to be no real good reason.

So we had a long chat. You heard it yesterday. They've been shut down for five weeks. There's forty three hectares twenty eight compartments. These are the glasshouses. The infected plants found at least as at the beginning of the week in three glasshouses. In the studio with me the Primary Industry's Minister, Clais Gribber Nick Seekam as well, who is Director of Plant and Invasive Species at PERSA. Good morning to you both, Good morning, welcome to the studio. Minister, Are you prepared to be the minister whose department closes an industry ends a big employer here in South Australia.

So we had a long chat. You heard it yesterday. They've been shut down for five weeks. There's forty three hectares twenty eight compartments. These are the glasshouses. The infected plants found at least as at the beginning of the week in three glasshouses. In the studio with me the Primary Industry's Minister, Clais Gribber Nick Seekam as well, who is Director of Plant and Invasive Species at PERSA. Good morning to you both, Good morning, welcome to the studio. Minister, Are you prepared to be the minister whose department closes an industry ends a big employer here in South Australia.

I think the key point is that no one wants anyone to be closed down, but we certainly don't want our whole industry to be closed down. So it's very very unfortunate for Perfection Fresh that they are in the situation they are at the moment, but they are one business every significant business years. But they are one business in South Australia. Now, if all of the rest of US country cease to receive any of our to martyrs from South Australia, there are many many more businesses that would be closed down, and so that's what we're trying to avoid. Now. The other issue that we need to look at is that the decisions that are being made around this are part of a national response. This is the first time we've had this tomato disease here in Australia, so there's a national response to this. There is input from all the other states and territories and the Commonwealth, and even more importantly, they have to agree on the response to this. So in terms of what is required to prove freedom from the disease, what is required for trade to be able to continue, all of that is part of decisions that are made by the federal, state and territory governments combined. And that's one of the real difficult parts. But it is also understandable because this is a national response to disease. It hasn't been here before.

I think the key point is that no one wants anyone to be closed down, but we certainly don't want our whole industry to be closed down. So it's very very unfortunate for Perfection Fresh that they are in the situation they are at the moment, but they are one business every significant business years. But they are one business in South Australia. Now, if all of the rest of US country cease to receive any of our to martyrs from South Australia, there are many many more businesses that would be closed down, and so that's what we're trying to avoid. Now. The other issue that we need to look at is that the decisions that are being made around this are part of a national response. This is the first time we've had this tomato disease here in Australia, so there's a national response to this. There is input from all the other states and territories and the Commonwealth, and even more importantly, they have to agree on the response to this. So in terms of what is required to prove freedom from the disease, what is required for trade to be able to continue, all of that is part of decisions that are made by the federal, state and territory governments combined. And that's one of the real difficult parts. But it is also understandable because this is a national response to disease. It hasn't been here before.

Let's talk to that. It's been around for ten years internationally that we know of. Why haven't we come up with a plan and what else? Have come up with a plan about that? We absolutely should well.

Let's talk to that. It's been around for ten years internationally that we know of. Why haven't we come up with a plan and what else? Have come up with a plan about that? We absolutely should well.

I think it speaks to the robustness of our bisecurity here in Australia that we haven't had it before. This is the first time prepared for it. I think both nationally on a state level, we prepare for many many diseases, but there are hundreds, if not thousands of exotic diseases and pests that could come into Australia. So all of the work that's done around biosecurity is so important and it prepares as best it can for those that are the highest risk of coming into the state and into the country. So if the work that's been doing, work that is being done all the time on biosecurity is preparing us for when there are outbreaks, when there's a specific disease as in this case that hasn't been in Australia before, that's when specific protocols need to be agreed and unfortunately they need to be agreed on a national state in territory.

I think it speaks to the robustness of our bisecurity here in Australia that we haven't had it before. This is the first time prepared for it. I think both nationally on a state level, we prepare for many many diseases, but there are hundreds, if not thousands of exotic diseases and pests that could come into Australia. So all of the work that's done around biosecurity is so important and it prepares as best it can for those that are the highest risk of coming into the state and into the country. So if the work that's been doing, work that is being done all the time on biosecurity is preparing us for when there are outbreaks, when there's a specific disease as in this case that hasn't been in Australia before, that's when specific protocols need to be agreed and unfortunately they need to be agreed on a national state in territory.

Can't there be an emergency meeting with this is threshed out in a day for goodness sake, I mean what we're prepared to do all this and great doing the work now, but business and it's not just perfection. This the salvatore and other farms as well affected by this. So can this we prepared to say, well, they can go to the wall while we work out what happens in the meantime.

Can't there be an emergency meeting with this is threshed out in a day for goodness sake, I mean what we're prepared to do all this and great doing the work now, but business and it's not just perfection. This the salvatore and other farms as well affected by this. So can this we prepared to say, well, they can go to the wall while we work out what happens in the meantime.

Well, what we want is to have everyone back to production and back to trade as soon as possible.

Well, what we want is to have everyone back to production and back to trade as soon as possible.

Now what's the time frame for that, Well, what's as soon as possible.

Now what's the time frame for that, Well, what's as soon as possible.

So the.

So the.

Nationally there's been meetings regularly and we have been impressing upon them the urgency of this. What they are doing is they establish three separate scientific forums committees if you like, that have looked at different evidence. So for example, there's one that was looking at just fruit and the contact that might occurge from fruit to fruit. There are two others in NIT can speak to that more in a moment if you like. But what they are doing is looking at the science that is available. They're looking at the research that's available around the world. So they have to be happy when I say they the other states and territories and the Commonwealth have to be happy that the response that we do here in South Australia for the three infected properties is going to be robust enough that they are happy that that production can resume and that trade can continue.

Nationally there's been meetings regularly and we have been impressing upon them the urgency of this. What they are doing is they establish three separate scientific forums committees if you like, that have looked at different evidence. So for example, there's one that was looking at just fruit and the contact that might occurge from fruit to fruit. There are two others in NIT can speak to that more in a moment if you like. But what they are doing is looking at the science that is available. They're looking at the research that's available around the world. So they have to be happy when I say they the other states and territories and the Commonwealth have to be happy that the response that we do here in South Australia for the three infected properties is going to be robust enough that they are happy that that production can resume and that trade can continue.

I understand the federal government has given some permission for exports for tomatoes from South Australia, but waiting on state approval for that to some countries. Are you aware of that? Is that an issue at the moment?

I understand the federal government has given some permission for exports for tomatoes from South Australia, but waiting on state approval for that to some countries. Are you aware of that? Is that an issue at the moment?

So sorry asking you about export out of.

So sorry asking you about export out of.

Australia, absolutely out of South Australia to overseas from tomatoes to certain countries.

Australia, absolutely out of South Australia to overseas from tomatoes to certain countries.

So it will depend on which countries already have the disease or to have the virus. So what we are keen to do is have as much production and as much freedom of trade as is possible. But in terms of the other states, they need to be able to say, yes, we are confident that what you're doing here in South Australia will mean that this disease does not come to their states.

So it will depend on which countries already have the disease or to have the virus. So what we are keen to do is have as much production and as much freedom of trade as is possible. But in terms of the other states, they need to be able to say, yes, we are confident that what you're doing here in South Australia will mean that this disease does not come to their states.

Nick, can I ask you, as an average person having a look at the site for a couple of hours on Wednesday, it seems to me a massive overreach out of twenty eight warehouses where the virus at least at the start of the week has been detected in three that you shut down the whole plant and rip out one point two million tomato plants. That and I ate some tomatoes, pluck them off the vine, juicy, fresh, beautiful tasting tomatoes. Why are we doing that? Why this massive overreach.

Nick, can I ask you, as an average person having a look at the site for a couple of hours on Wednesday, it seems to me a massive overreach out of twenty eight warehouses where the virus at least at the start of the week has been detected in three that you shut down the whole plant and rip out one point two million tomato plants. That and I ate some tomatoes, pluck them off the vine, juicy, fresh, beautiful tasting tomatoes. Why are we doing that? Why this massive overreach.

So I've got to just give context that we get one opportunity, one opportunity to do this right, and we have to decide, first of all, is it feasible, is it possible to eradicate this disease from this site, and if so, how best to do it. So it's really important that we preserve the right to do that. And this disease can spread very easily, and we've seen no, it can absolutely hasn't it. And this disease has been on the international stage now for ten years, and we know quite clearly that this disease can remain on inert surfaces for months and be spread in that way. So there's no debating that that is an absolute fact that the disease can be spread quite easily off of those services.

So I've got to just give context that we get one opportunity, one opportunity to do this right, and we have to decide, first of all, is it feasible, is it possible to eradicate this disease from this site, and if so, how best to do it. So it's really important that we preserve the right to do that. And this disease can spread very easily, and we've seen no, it can absolutely hasn't it. And this disease has been on the international stage now for ten years, and we know quite clearly that this disease can remain on inert surfaces for months and be spread in that way. So there's no debating that that is an absolute fact that the disease can be spread quite easily off of those services.

Rollers will debate that with you. This is a bit of Michael Simonetta exactly on that point. Have A listened to this.

Rollers will debate that with you. This is a bit of Michael Simonetta exactly on that point. Have A listened to this.

We were so fruit for at least two or three weeks before PERSA came with the Australian test result that we tested positive because they didn't acknowledge the overseas based result. So we kept selling for those two or three weeks to every state and if the fruit spread the virus, it would be rampant across the country by now. The chance of fruit spreading the virus is next to zero, is close to zero as you can possibly get. And there is no ill health to anybody by consuming that fruit. I mean, I'm testament to that. I've been eating the fruit all day right and for the last few weeks. Yes, so the fruit's not going to harm anybody. And all we want to do is sell our fruit. We're happy to follow the protocols that are set by per Se in terms of isolation of one glasshouse or two glasshouses, which we tried to express to them and convince them that we were able to segregate these houses, but they just ignored us and shut down the whole place.

We were so fruit for at least two or three weeks before PERSA came with the Australian test result that we tested positive because they didn't acknowledge the overseas based result. So we kept selling for those two or three weeks to every state and if the fruit spread the virus, it would be rampant across the country by now. The chance of fruit spreading the virus is next to zero, is close to zero as you can possibly get. And there is no ill health to anybody by consuming that fruit. I mean, I'm testament to that. I've been eating the fruit all day right and for the last few weeks. Yes, so the fruit's not going to harm anybody. And all we want to do is sell our fruit. We're happy to follow the protocols that are set by per Se in terms of isolation of one glasshouse or two glasshouses, which we tried to express to them and convince them that we were able to segregate these houses, but they just ignored us and shut down the whole place.

It seems to be this business, if it doesn't get up and running soon, isn't going to be around much longer. The fruit doesn't seem to spread, the virus doesn't seem to spread fruit to fruit growers views.

It seems to be this business, if it doesn't get up and running soon, isn't going to be around much longer. The fruit doesn't seem to spread, the virus doesn't seem to spread fruit to fruit growers views.

So can I speak to a couple of things in Michael's comments there? So, first of all, yeah, the intent has always been to be able to segregate glasshouses on this facility, and we've done that from day one, we've recognized that each of these glasshouses are discrete units, and we've had to talk with other states and the Commonwealth about that, but we've always applied that model. So we've certainly worked with perfection fresh in recognizing that this is a big, complex facility with lots of discrete units, and we've done that from day one. Secondly, I think we're talking about two different methods of spread here. One is around a glasshouse. You have all those opportunities to touch plants and move the disease from plant to plant because the plants are touching and grown in really high density outlets. So there's a much higher and different risk pathway to move around a glasshouse, and we certainly know that the spread of disease in that situation is very common. What we've done nationally is set up a scientific assessment panel to look at fruit, specifically to look at the literature from overseas, what the scientists are telling us. And I know that Simon that mister Simtada suggests that the fruit is good to eat, and it absolutely is. There are no human health impacts from eating fruit, and we can eat the fruit, but we are worried about the production impacts from this disease, and again they are significant if we allow this disease to spread. We have a two hundred and forty million dollar industry in South Australia that we could be looking at impacts forever, so that two hundred and forty million dollars every year we might be looking at a ten or twenty percent impact even when we learn to live with this disease every year, so they aren't in significant impacts production wise. But importantly, the scientists nationally agreed that fruit is a risk pathway, that we can spread the disease through fruit, and we should stop fruit from moving from infected sites as a result, and that's after looking at the literature internationally.

So can I speak to a couple of things in Michael's comments there? So, first of all, yeah, the intent has always been to be able to segregate glasshouses on this facility, and we've done that from day one, we've recognized that each of these glasshouses are discrete units, and we've had to talk with other states and the Commonwealth about that, but we've always applied that model. So we've certainly worked with perfection fresh in recognizing that this is a big, complex facility with lots of discrete units, and we've done that from day one. Secondly, I think we're talking about two different methods of spread here. One is around a glasshouse. You have all those opportunities to touch plants and move the disease from plant to plant because the plants are touching and grown in really high density outlets. So there's a much higher and different risk pathway to move around a glasshouse, and we certainly know that the spread of disease in that situation is very common. What we've done nationally is set up a scientific assessment panel to look at fruit, specifically to look at the literature from overseas, what the scientists are telling us. And I know that Simon that mister Simtada suggests that the fruit is good to eat, and it absolutely is. There are no human health impacts from eating fruit, and we can eat the fruit, but we are worried about the production impacts from this disease, and again they are significant if we allow this disease to spread. We have a two hundred and forty million dollar industry in South Australia that we could be looking at impacts forever, so that two hundred and forty million dollars every year we might be looking at a ten or twenty percent impact even when we learn to live with this disease every year, so they aren't in significant impacts production wise. But importantly, the scientists nationally agreed that fruit is a risk pathway, that we can spread the disease through fruit, and we should stop fruit from moving from infected sites as a result, and that's after looking at the literature internationally.

Growers would give you a different view, though, are they're wrong?

Growers would give you a different view, though, are they're wrong?

No, I understand, But we also got to understand that the growers are seeing it from a different perspective and we have to take an overarching view across our industry and nationally, which is so nationally there's an eight, eight or nine hundred million dollar industry here, what is the risk to the entire industry, not just the three or four growers who are affected, And of course the grower who is infected is going to have a different view on spread and the risk and the ability to move his or her fruit than what we have to look at holistically at a national level, when we look at all of the industry that could be impacted.

No, I understand, But we also got to understand that the growers are seeing it from a different perspective and we have to take an overarching view across our industry and nationally, which is so nationally there's an eight, eight or nine hundred million dollar industry here, what is the risk to the entire industry, not just the three or four growers who are affected, And of course the grower who is infected is going to have a different view on spread and the risk and the ability to move his or her fruit than what we have to look at holistically at a national level, when we look at all of the industry that could be impacted.

All right, how long is this going to take?

All right, how long is this going to take?

So this is something that we've been working with nationally and I guess, as I said in my first point, we only get one chance at doing this right, So we don't want to jump in and do something that isn't agreed. First of all, because that could allow the disease to spread. We don't want that. Once we once we allow fruit to move again, if we allow the thing to spread, then we can't pull it back. But secondly, as Minister was saying before, we have to make sure that other states are willing to accept the fruit. So we have to make sure that we get that national agreement others ones. We're opening up the doors for no good reason and potentially putting those hundreds of other growers in South Australia who don't have this disease at risk of being able to sell their fruit. So it might take a few more weeks before we can allow a sequential return to trade. For this business.

So this is something that we've been working with nationally and I guess, as I said in my first point, we only get one chance at doing this right, So we don't want to jump in and do something that isn't agreed. First of all, because that could allow the disease to spread. We don't want that. Once we once we allow fruit to move again, if we allow the thing to spread, then we can't pull it back. But secondly, as Minister was saying before, we have to make sure that other states are willing to accept the fruit. So we have to make sure that we get that national agreement others ones. We're opening up the doors for no good reason and potentially putting those hundreds of other growers in South Australia who don't have this disease at risk of being able to sell their fruit. So it might take a few more weeks before we can allow a sequential return to trade. For this business.

Weeks, not months. You're saying weeks. So what ended November at the start of November today, it's the first you're willing to say by the thirtieth they'll be able to start producing again.

Weeks, not months. You're saying weeks. So what ended November at the start of November today, it's the first you're willing to say by the thirtieth they'll be able to start producing again.

No, I'm not able to say that because, as I was saying, these weeks, we need national agreement on what it means, and we don't have that yet. But having said that, we know the steps that will be involved with getting back to trade. It's not rocket science. We have to get the plants out, we have to get the place clean, we have to apply treatments, we have to put new crops in there, which takes several weeks to grow, mind.

No, I'm not able to say that because, as I was saying, these weeks, we need national agreement on what it means, and we don't have that yet. But having said that, we know the steps that will be involved with getting back to trade. It's not rocket science. We have to get the plants out, we have to get the place clean, we have to apply treatments, we have to put new crops in there, which takes several weeks to grow, mind.

You, eighteen months to full production.

You, eighteen months to full production.

And then test those plants to make sure that they can be sold. So even if we put new crops in tomorrow, we have at least a couple of months of growth before those new crops are ready to be sold, and we have to test them. So it's not something you can push a button on start growing new tomatoes in a day. But we agree that those sort of processes are well understood nationally. What we have to do is get national sign off on that. Because we don't want tomatoes to move and impact the rest of our growers in the mean time.

And then test those plants to make sure that they can be sold. So even if we put new crops in tomorrow, we have at least a couple of months of growth before those new crops are ready to be sold, and we have to test them. So it's not something you can push a button on start growing new tomatoes in a day. But we agree that those sort of processes are well understood nationally. What we have to do is get national sign off on that. Because we don't want tomatoes to move and impact the rest of our growers in the mean time.

Is this a public servants dream? I mean, you've not got a crisis that you can have committees on and meetings on and discussions into state. You seem to be enjoying.

Is this a public servants dream? I mean, you've not got a crisis that you can have committees on and meetings on and discussions into state. You seem to be enjoying.

This, not at all, Matthew. Let me tell you we've got a team of thirty people on this who would much rather be doing other work. Well, the last thing we want to do is respond to things like this. It's not good for our industry. It's not good for our own people who have been working hard on this now for three months and long, long hours. We would rather not be responding.

This, not at all, Matthew. Let me tell you we've got a team of thirty people on this who would much rather be doing other work. Well, the last thing we want to do is respond to things like this. It's not good for our industry. It's not good for our own people who have been working hard on this now for three months and long, long hours. We would rather not be responding.

All right, Let's have a chat with Paul Kafkakas, who has called in from caf Kakas Products. Paul, Good morning. You're speaking to the minister and person Nixgon.

All right, Let's have a chat with Paul Kafkakas, who has called in from caf Kakas Products. Paul, Good morning. You're speaking to the minister and person Nixgon.

Morning there.

Morning there.

How are you going morning? Pool?

How are you going morning? Pool?

Morning Pool?

Morning Pool?

I'm just a question. So Minister you mentioned before you know this has been around over ten years. We're well aware of every role was known about this, and you know the Department Australia our Biosecurity are working hard to break hundreds and thousands of diseases come through. Do you know you have three diseases that are worse than might have brown rugus virus that we're protecting on the borders, one that we don't have here.

I'm just a question. So Minister you mentioned before you know this has been around over ten years. We're well aware of every role was known about this, and you know the Department Australia our Biosecurity are working hard to break hundreds and thousands of diseases come through. Do you know you have three diseases that are worse than might have brown rugus virus that we're protecting on the borders, one that we don't have here.

So I couldn't quite hear that last bit of the question.

So I couldn't quite hear that last bit of the question.

You know, do you know what maybe with all the diseases we're fighting again, which rug rugus being one of the worst, is there anything worse than that that we're trying to prevent from coming to Australia.

You know, do you know what maybe with all the diseases we're fighting again, which rug rugus being one of the worst, is there anything worse than that that we're trying to prevent from coming to Australia.

Right, So what happens is that there's a nationally agreed list of priorities of what sort of diseases are considered to be the most likely and to have the most impact. So they're the ones that there are already protocols established for, is my understanding? When there are other diseases, and of course, you know, we can't have all the protocols and all the procedures in place for hundreds or thousands of diseases which may may not get here, So it's a matter of a risk analysis. Now obviously would have been wonderful if we'd had all of this in place for tomato brand Rego's disease, but we haven't, and so we've got to work with the best that we have on a national basis.

Right, So what happens is that there's a nationally agreed list of priorities of what sort of diseases are considered to be the most likely and to have the most impact. So they're the ones that there are already protocols established for, is my understanding? When there are other diseases, and of course, you know, we can't have all the protocols and all the procedures in place for hundreds or thousands of diseases which may may not get here, So it's a matter of a risk analysis. Now obviously would have been wonderful if we'd had all of this in place for tomato brand Rego's disease, but we haven't, and so we've got to work with the best that we have on a national basis.

Yeah, I guess that's where my point is, because you know, this is if you were to ask any grower overseas, any tomato grower in Australia, if they were to say, what's the number one disease you don't want that we don't have, because there's any that we do here, Unfortunately, it'd be this. So the fact that you know, I'm not saying that this isn't a South Australian problem. This is a national problem. It's not a reflection on further for not having something ready. It's Australian and I understand that's out of your control. My second point is, you know there's been so much referred to the literature from overseas and the science and all these things. My understanding we're speaking to experts having seen this virus myself overseas. The advice that they've given us as well is that this thing spreads like there's no tomorrow. So you know, we're not we're not lying we don't want this disease. My issue is with the businesses that have been affected with it. Two that have been effected, will been retested, more samples done, and the samples have come back negative. That's never happened anywhere in the world. You know previously people are from Sati have reference in England they got.

Yeah, I guess that's where my point is, because you know, this is if you were to ask any grower overseas, any tomato grower in Australia, if they were to say, what's the number one disease you don't want that we don't have, because there's any that we do here, Unfortunately, it'd be this. So the fact that you know, I'm not saying that this isn't a South Australian problem. This is a national problem. It's not a reflection on further for not having something ready. It's Australian and I understand that's out of your control. My second point is, you know there's been so much referred to the literature from overseas and the science and all these things. My understanding we're speaking to experts having seen this virus myself overseas. The advice that they've given us as well is that this thing spreads like there's no tomorrow. So you know, we're not we're not lying we don't want this disease. My issue is with the businesses that have been affected with it. Two that have been effected, will been retested, more samples done, and the samples have come back negative. That's never happened anywhere in the world. You know previously people are from Sati have reference in England they got.

Rid of the disease.

Rid of the disease.

They didn't get rid of the disease. They got rid of it from one crop cycle. The only way to get rid of it is to grow something like cucumbers for two or three years. Because this virus stays on property, it stays on clothes, that's the major way it's transmitted. So if businesses have it and now they don't have it, we're the first country in the world to do this. So we've obviously filmed the magic pill. Actual businesses get retested, be negative and then still be deemed No, you can't operate if it's not there.

They didn't get rid of the disease. They got rid of it from one crop cycle. The only way to get rid of it is to grow something like cucumbers for two or three years. Because this virus stays on property, it stays on clothes, that's the major way it's transmitted. So if businesses have it and now they don't have it, we're the first country in the world to do this. So we've obviously filmed the magic pill. Actual businesses get retested, be negative and then still be deemed No, you can't operate if it's not there.

Good question.

Good question.

Yeah, so I think a couple of things, and I'll hand out sneak in a moment to add to it as well. But the point is that we did a swift response as soon as Perfection Fish did what was absolutely the right thing and as well as being their responsibility to report when they did detect the virus. So the action has been as swift as it can notwithstanding that we would have liked it to have been even quicker. So the fact that we still have only three properties that are showing as being affected, three businesses, I think is a testament to the fact that it has been a very effective response so far.

Yeah, so I think a couple of things, and I'll hand out sneak in a moment to add to it as well. But the point is that we did a swift response as soon as Perfection Fish did what was absolutely the right thing and as well as being their responsibility to report when they did detect the virus. So the action has been as swift as it can notwithstanding that we would have liked it to have been even quicker. So the fact that we still have only three properties that are showing as being affected, three businesses, I think is a testament to the fact that it has been a very effective response so far.

Do you think they're all being honest? Same minister. I mean, if given the examples we've seen as how this has been handled, I would hazard a guess that any business, any grower finding this virus today would rip it out and not report and you wouldn't blame them for that. You wouldn't blame them at all.

Do you think they're all being honest? Same minister. I mean, if given the examples we've seen as how this has been handled, I would hazard a guess that any business, any grower finding this virus today would rip it out and not report and you wouldn't blame them for that. You wouldn't blame them at all.

Well, I think while we're still trying to eradicate this, and at the moment the pathway seems to be that we can achieve eradication, that's where most of the growers want it to be because they know that in the future, if this disease is endemic here in Australia, they will have additional production costs and they will have losses in their yields. So they know that if we can possibly eradicate it, this is the best thing to do for the industry and for their businesses. In terms of the particular testing it us pass over to a Nick to talk to that.

Well, I think while we're still trying to eradicate this, and at the moment the pathway seems to be that we can achieve eradication, that's where most of the growers want it to be because they know that in the future, if this disease is endemic here in Australia, they will have additional production costs and they will have losses in their yields. So they know that if we can possibly eradicate it, this is the best thing to do for the industry and for their businesses. In terms of the particular testing it us pass over to a Nick to talk to that.

So the only things I'd add to that is that we have now taken over four thousand tests at really targeted sites where the disease should be. If it is. We've gone to the infected site and said where else has trade happened, where have plants moved, where it's seed moved, and we've looked where it should be, and we've sampled all of those crops and we still only have three infected properties. So that gives us quite strong confidence that the disease is limited. So I take your point. We can't look at every crop, we can't stop some growers from removing crops, but we've been to the highest risk sites and still only found it at three infected properties.

So the only things I'd add to that is that we have now taken over four thousand tests at really targeted sites where the disease should be. If it is. We've gone to the infected site and said where else has trade happened, where have plants moved, where it's seed moved, and we've looked where it should be, and we've sampled all of those crops and we still only have three infected properties. So that gives us quite strong confidence that the disease is limited. So I take your point. We can't look at every crop, we can't stop some growers from removing crops, but we've been to the highest risk sites and still only found it at three infected properties.

Show it hasn't spread.

Show it hasn't spread.

That's right from those three properties.

That's right from those three properties.

But to pause.

But to pause.

But to Pool's point, who was agreeing that international experience is that this is a really transmissible disease from what from what he's seen. But the Pool's point is it just shows that we have a very unique situation here in Australia where it looks like we've picked this up very early. The three properties that have got it have had a very early infection that we found early and controlled early and stopped from going further because we can stop but by putting controls in place.

But to Pool's point, who was agreeing that international experience is that this is a really transmissible disease from what from what he's seen. But the Pool's point is it just shows that we have a very unique situation here in Australia where it looks like we've picked this up very early. The three properties that have got it have had a very early infection that we found early and controlled early and stopped from going further because we can stop but by putting controls in place.

All right, Nicholas and a fan he's called in the Shadow Primary Industries Minister, Shadow Minister.

All right, Nicholas and a fan he's called in the Shadow Primary Industries Minister, Shadow Minister.

Good morning, Good morning, Matthew, thanks for having me.

Good morning, Good morning, Matthew, thanks for having me.

At what point would you like to make Look.

At what point would you like to make Look.

I think there does need to be an acknowledgment by the Minister and the government. You know that these are people's livelihoods that they're dealing with, and to not have a pathway around when and how they can begin to rebuild really creates incredible stress and anxiety. And I've been out to perfection fresh as you have a Matthew, and whilst the picture is one of devastation, what I found incredibly impressive, particularly the form of that, is just how strict they're biosecurity protocols are. You know, it's fourth Ppe, it's mechanical and it's chemical disinfection, it's new book boots for entry. You know, these are these people are a well awed machine when it comes to buy security protocols, and of course you know you spoke about the individual compartments and then internally they have another of bisecurity prior to entry. These guys know what they're doing and as Michael said yesterday, they submitted a disinfection and decontamination protocol to the government four to five weeks ago and they're still waiting for that to be approved now. The Minister declared in Parliament yesterday that she's attending the Agricultural Minister's Meeting today and that is where all the states agricultural ministers meet with a federal agricultural Minister on issues of national significance affecting primate production. And I'd really implore the Minister to raise this issue as a matter of absolute urgency around that decision making table with a view to finding a workable solution and getting a protocol in place urgently so that businesses like Perfection Fresh and their employees have some certainty about their future. And Nick Seconds spoke about the importance of the national Agreement and he's absolutely right, which is why the Minister needs to show leadership today in that Minister's meeting.

I think there does need to be an acknowledgment by the Minister and the government. You know that these are people's livelihoods that they're dealing with, and to not have a pathway around when and how they can begin to rebuild really creates incredible stress and anxiety. And I've been out to perfection fresh as you have a Matthew, and whilst the picture is one of devastation, what I found incredibly impressive, particularly the form of that, is just how strict they're biosecurity protocols are. You know, it's fourth Ppe, it's mechanical and it's chemical disinfection, it's new book boots for entry. You know, these are these people are a well awed machine when it comes to buy security protocols, and of course you know you spoke about the individual compartments and then internally they have another of bisecurity prior to entry. These guys know what they're doing and as Michael said yesterday, they submitted a disinfection and decontamination protocol to the government four to five weeks ago and they're still waiting for that to be approved now. The Minister declared in Parliament yesterday that she's attending the Agricultural Minister's Meeting today and that is where all the states agricultural ministers meet with a federal agricultural Minister on issues of national significance affecting primate production. And I'd really implore the Minister to raise this issue as a matter of absolute urgency around that decision making table with a view to finding a workable solution and getting a protocol in place urgently so that businesses like Perfection Fresh and their employees have some certainty about their future. And Nick Seconds spoke about the importance of the national Agreement and he's absolutely right, which is why the Minister needs to show leadership today in that Minister's meeting.

Is it on top of the agenda as the meeting it should be.

Is it on top of the agenda as the meeting it should be.

I certainly indicated that I'm bringing up on gender today, of course, because this is a really significant issue for South Australia. Absolutely for Perfection Fresh in the other directly affected businesses, but also for the nation. We have a disease that hasn't been here before in the country, a disease that would have significant impacts on ongoing production, productivity and profitability. So of course it's on the agenda already.

I certainly indicated that I'm bringing up on gender today, of course, because this is a really significant issue for South Australia. Absolutely for Perfection Fresh in the other directly affected businesses, but also for the nation. We have a disease that hasn't been here before in the country, a disease that would have significant impacts on ongoing production, productivity and profitability. So of course it's on the agenda already.

Compensation for perfection, fresh disableatorying others affected is that on the table. Can companies access compensation?

Compensation for perfection, fresh disableatorying others affected is that on the table. Can companies access compensation?

So what often happens when we have bisecurity issues is there is a national deed that has been signed up to and sectors pay levees to be able to enable cost sharing when something like this occurs. Now it's a little bit more complicated with this one because the tomato industry hasn't been a signatory to that deed. They haven't been paying those levees and therefore the path to compensation is not so clear. But what we have been doing is advocating strongly on the national level to be able to get an outcome along those lines, even though they haven't been part of what some of these other sectors have been. So that's an ongoing piece of work and yeah, I'll continue to a strongly advocate on that, all.

So what often happens when we have bisecurity issues is there is a national deed that has been signed up to and sectors pay levees to be able to enable cost sharing when something like this occurs. Now it's a little bit more complicated with this one because the tomato industry hasn't been a signatory to that deed. They haven't been paying those levees and therefore the path to compensation is not so clear. But what we have been doing is advocating strongly on the national level to be able to get an outcome along those lines, even though they haven't been part of what some of these other sectors have been. So that's an ongoing piece of work and yeah, I'll continue to a strongly advocate on that, all.

Right, Nick Secam, you say weeks not months, So we can quote that.

Right, Nick Secam, you say weeks not months, So we can quote that.

So it does depend on getting that national agreement, and I don't want to put those other states under pressure. We have to bring them along with well, we have to bring them along with us, and they have to agree. Last thing we want to do is put an ultimatum to them. So but they are very close. I think we had a meeting just two days ago where we have near agreement. As I said, this is a very long and complex response plan, and the pathway to freedom is part of it. Perfection Fresh did come to us a month ago and said this is how we think we can move our way forward, and we've been applying that. We've been applying that method, and I think the treatments that they're applying and the method they're applying, as I was saying before, is largely agreed. So that's not holding us back from actually treating the glass houses. And we've been meeting with Perfection Fresh every week. We met again this morning to see how they're going, what's their pathway back to trade. So we have been active, but nationally we are very close I think to getting that response plan agreed.

So it does depend on getting that national agreement, and I don't want to put those other states under pressure. We have to bring them along with well, we have to bring them along with us, and they have to agree. Last thing we want to do is put an ultimatum to them. So but they are very close. I think we had a meeting just two days ago where we have near agreement. As I said, this is a very long and complex response plan, and the pathway to freedom is part of it. Perfection Fresh did come to us a month ago and said this is how we think we can move our way forward, and we've been applying that. We've been applying that method, and I think the treatments that they're applying and the method they're applying, as I was saying before, is largely agreed. So that's not holding us back from actually treating the glass houses. And we've been meeting with Perfection Fresh every week. We met again this morning to see how they're going, what's their pathway back to trade. So we have been active, but nationally we are very close I think to getting that response plan agreed.

All right, so hopefully weeks not months, and very close. Well, like to think that's possible for these business not just the businesses I mean Michael Simonetta, as you may have heard in the whole interview yesterday, says tens of millions. They can't continue that forever. They need to get moving otherwise their future is very much in doubt long term. But it's also the twelve hundred people that they would have employed just on that side site over the summer period they ramp up to that many people. I mean, those jobs are gone. They're gone from the economy as well, and doesn't help anyone in South Australia.

All right, so hopefully weeks not months, and very close. Well, like to think that's possible for these business not just the businesses I mean Michael Simonetta, as you may have heard in the whole interview yesterday, says tens of millions. They can't continue that forever. They need to get moving otherwise their future is very much in doubt long term. But it's also the twelve hundred people that they would have employed just on that side site over the summer period they ramp up to that many people. I mean, those jobs are gone. They're gone from the economy as well, and doesn't help anyone in South Australia.

That's right, and that's why we need to try and really restrain the amount of impact as far as possible and make sure we don't have those same sorts of implications and effects on all the other groves in South Australia.

That's right, and that's why we need to try and really restrain the amount of impact as far as possible and make sure we don't have those same sorts of implications and effects on all the other groves in South Australia.

Appreciate your time coming in this morning. Before you go, you're announcing a wine recovery program today, minister.

Appreciate your time coming in this morning. Before you go, you're announcing a wine recovery program today, minister.

That's right. We've got a two and a half million dollars South Australian wine recovery program which is going to be the next step in supporting the wine industry. We all know how difficult it has been the tariffs that were the issue until earlier this year have had huge impacts on the wine industry across the state and indeed across the nation. And so we've worked with the federal government to be able to get some a program in place, which adds to a number of other things that we've done over the last twelve to eighteen months. So this is two and a half million dollars which will have three different focuses. First, will be particularly around a vineyard waste management. So when I'm talking with growers and they're perhaps looking at diversifying or perhaps going out of wine altogether one grapes and going into something else, one of the biggest challenges is around things like the CCA posts and other wastes. So we're doing some work with this fund with funding around how we can assist people in terms of that waste management because that will enable them to then potentially move into other crops. Also looking at building domestic demands. There's been an overall line in demand for wine, that's a trend across the world, but how can we actually encourage more purchase of South Australian wines and also responsibly of course, but more consumption of what is a fantastic and well renowned product and also regional grape and wine capability. So when I'm talking with a number of the regional grape and wine associations, a number of them have got some really good ideas about how what a relatively small amount of money could do to be able to assist them, to be able to provide more support within their own regions and hopefully give that broader assistance to the wine. Great growers.

That's right. We've got a two and a half million dollars South Australian wine recovery program which is going to be the next step in supporting the wine industry. We all know how difficult it has been the tariffs that were the issue until earlier this year have had huge impacts on the wine industry across the state and indeed across the nation. And so we've worked with the federal government to be able to get some a program in place, which adds to a number of other things that we've done over the last twelve to eighteen months. So this is two and a half million dollars which will have three different focuses. First, will be particularly around a vineyard waste management. So when I'm talking with growers and they're perhaps looking at diversifying or perhaps going out of wine altogether one grapes and going into something else, one of the biggest challenges is around things like the CCA posts and other wastes. So we're doing some work with this fund with funding around how we can assist people in terms of that waste management because that will enable them to then potentially move into other crops. Also looking at building domestic demands. There's been an overall line in demand for wine, that's a trend across the world, but how can we actually encourage more purchase of South Australian wines and also responsibly of course, but more consumption of what is a fantastic and well renowned product and also regional grape and wine capability. So when I'm talking with a number of the regional grape and wine associations, a number of them have got some really good ideas about how what a relatively small amount of money could do to be able to assist them, to be able to provide more support within their own regions and hopefully give that broader assistance to the wine. Great growers.

I reckon tomato growers would like a relatively small amount of money to help them. In compensation, we can't find two and a half million for tomato growers.

I reckon tomato growers would like a relatively small amount of money to help them. In compensation, we can't find two and a half million for tomato growers.

Well, those cost sharing arrangements which are often the subject of the national deed, that's what we're pursuing for the tomato growers.

Well, those cost sharing arrangements which are often the subject of the national deed, that's what we're pursuing for the tomato growers.

We'll have to leave it. They appreciate your time once more, please Gribbin Minister and Nick Seacon from Primary Industries, thank you for coming in expect

We'll have to leave it. They appreciate your time once more, please Gribbin Minister and Nick Seacon from Primary Industries, thank you for coming in expect