Call to action on fruit fly in the Riverland

The South Australian Government is issuing an urgent call to action for the entire Riverland community to help eradicate risk material that could be a host for fruit fly following the recent detections of Queensland fruit fly in West Renmark and Monash. Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development David Basham, who met with industry representatives in the Riverland today, called on the local community to help play their part in eradicating fruit fly.

“The Marshall Liberal Government is doing everything we can to protect South Australia’s $1.3 billion fruit fly vulnerable horticulture industries and we need the Riverland community’s help to eradicate these pests as quickly as possible,” Minister Basham said.

“All available resources are being targeted into both the Renmark and Monash outbreaks to ensure the eradication of fruit flies. A total of 56 personnel have already been deployed to the Riverland response with baiting and hygiene operations in full swing.

“However, everyone – farmers, homeowners, transport operators, councils and visitors – along with government – all have vital roles to play to ensure we see the back of this pest.

“All Riverland orchards, vineyards, households, veggie gardens, roadsides and riparian zones need to be swept clean of host product.

“As is always the case travellers and holiday makers must not to bring fresh fruit and vegetables into the Riverland Pest Free Area but the outbreaks now mean it is equally important that fresh fruit and vegetables are also not taken out of either the outbreak and suspension areas.

“We are recommending all visitors shop local while in the Riverland but please do not take left over produce back home with you if you are in the outbreak quarantine areas.

“The zero-tolerance approach will continue for people who are found doing the wrong thing and those caught will now face a $405 fine, so to save a sting to the hip pocket – follow the advice.

“If you have any questions about the outbreak, or what you need to do, please call the Fruit Fly Hotline – 1300 666 010. Commercial enquiries can be directed to 1800 255 556.”

Riverland horticulturalist Jason Size said it was important for the local community to follow all directions regarding the fruit fly outbreak eradication.

“We need to do everything we can to support our region to keep our fruit clean and free of pests,” Mr Size said.

“Manage your backyard trees, dispose of what you can’t use properly and remove trees that aren’t in use.

“The Riverland is a world-class food producing region and we don’t want to put that at risk so spread the message and support zero-tolerance.”

If you are in either the Monash or Renmark West quarantine areas, you can also help to eradicate the pest by:

• Not moving fruit or vegetables off your property.
• Clean your backyard of all ripe fruit or fruiting vegetables and those lying on the ground.
• The Department of Primary Industries and Regions will arrange for collection of waste fruit or vegetables from residences within the 1.5km outbreak areas. Dispose of all ripe/rotten fruit or vegetables through this collection program (including produce purchased from a shop) by sealing in a plastic bag and contacting the 24hr Fruit Fly Hotline (1300 666 010) to arrange for collection. Do not compost in your backyard.
• If you find maggots in your fruit or vegetables – please call the 24-hour Fruit Fly Hotline on 1300 666 010 for residences and 1800 255 556 for commercial properties.
• Do not keep backyard fruit trees unless you are actively managing them.

At this stage, if no further wild flies or larvae are detected it is anticipated the quarantine zone for the Monash fruit fly outbreak will remain in place until at least 22 March 2021. The Renmark quarantine arrangements are in place until at least 30 March 2021.

The current end date for all Metropolitan Adelaide outbreaks of Mediterranean fruit fly is 30 March 2021.

More information, including detailed maps of the Monash, Renmark and metropolitan Adelaide outbreak areas, quarantine zones and suspension areas are available from www.pir.sa.gov.au/fruitfly