South Australia is under further pressure from fruit fly with two new outbreaks declared in metropolitan Adelaide at Pooraka and Campbelltown.
The Marshall Liberal Government has now requested a biosecurity report looking at the possible expansion of the zero-tolerance policy to Ceduna to protect the state from future incursions.
There are now seven Mediterranean fruit fly outbreaks in metropolitan Adelaide, with 240 suburbs now under quarantine restrictions.
Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Tim Whetstone said these new outbreaks mean the majority of Adelaide is now in a fruit fly quarantine area.
“Right now, we have outbreaks impacting the area between Glenelg to Elizabeth, from the ocean into the foothills,” said Minister Whetstone.
“If fruit fly were to become widespread in the fruit producing areas of the Adelaide Hills it could have devastating effects for our horticulture industry.
“These outbreaks have meant I am stepping up the response. I have asked Primary Industries and Regions South Australia to report back to me about extending the zero-tolerance policy to the Ceduna quarantine station.
“There are zero strikes and zero excuses for bringing fruit and vegetables into South Australia via the Yamba border crossing in the Riverland and those who ignore the warnings receive a $375 fine.
“This zero-tolerance approach on our eastern border has successfully limited the spread of Queensland fruit fly but with Mediterranean fruit fly traditionally coming from the west, it may be time for us to extend zero tolerance to our Ceduna quarantine station.
“Fruit fly is one of the world’s worst plant pests and causes havoc for our fruit and vegetable farmers. Adelaide residents in the fruit fly quarantine zone also have to comply with strict requirements to make sure they don’t bite into homegrown fruit to get a mouthful of maggots.
“The Marshall Liberal Government is using every tool at our disposal to eradicate this devastating plant pest. We have more than 100 PIRSA officers on the ground fighting the pest in Adelaide, baiting, spraying and releasing Sterile Insect Technology.
“While South Australia has a 100 per cent success rate in eradicating fruit fly, we want to keep it that way and we need residents to do the right thing.
“Everyone who lives in the outbreak areas need to remove all ripe fruit from their fruit trees and pick up any fruit fallen on the ground. Use what fruit you can. It is also safe to dispose of rotten fruit in the green bin. You are no longer permitted to move homegrown fruit. If you find maggots in your fruit, call the Fruit Fly hotline on 1300 666 010.”
For more information including maps and a list of affected areas, visit pir.sa.gov.au/fruitfly-outbreaks
