Kent Mainwaring owns Bilambil Berry Farm, which was established 50 years ago and has been certified organic for more than 20 years.

Biosecurity measures recommended for blueberry growers in the wake of the three blueberry rust incursions in the past year include chemical treatment, which renders Mr Mainwaring’s product no longer organic.

“This outbreak of rust has caused concern. We believe eradication is necessary,” Mr Mainwaring said.

“Through the very diligent efforts of Biosecurity Tasmania [in 2014, the state] was declared rust free. What has changed from 2014 to now? I don’t know why the government has let it get to this stage,” he said.

Mr Mainwaring supports industry calls for a public inquiry.

“There should be an inquiry into who made the decision [to contain blueberry rust-infected plants rather than remove them],” Mr Mainwaring said.

“If blueberry rust becomes endemic we’d have to pull the plug. We’d lose five years worth of product and I don’t think it would be economically viable after that,” he said.

Mr Mainwaring exports 99 per cent of his organic blueberry crop to markets in Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.

“I cannot send my fruit without it being treated if rust is here. We wouldn’t be able to extract premium prices from those markets,” Mr Mainwaring said.

Fruit Growers Tasmania business development manager Phil Pyke said the organisation also supported calls for a public inquiry.

“We need to know what occurred. We need to look at the best options for management and eradication,” Mr Pyke said.

The August 2016 rust infection was traced to a Costa commercial blueberry farm at Sulphur Creek.

Costa was contacted for comment.