Potato seeds found in cold storage in Victoria have tested positive for the exotic mop-top virus.

The Australian Seed Potato Industry Certification Authority (AusSPICA) said the seeds came from Tasmania, where authorities and growers have been dealing with an outbreak of the plant disease .

Potato mop-top virus can cause a reduction in potato yield and quality.

The defect also causes discolouring but it is not harmful to humans.

Seeds not planted

AusSPICA general manager and potato pathologist Nigel Crump said the infected potato seeds were the first detection of the virus in the state.

"This seed had moved across prior to [when] the official restrictions were in place," Dr Crump said.

"There has been an early positive reported there and we're trying to work through what that exac

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