Advertisement

Fight to contain Riverland’s third fruit fly outbreak

More than 70 officers have been deployed to contain the most recent fruit fly outbreak in Renmark – the latest of several outbreaks recorded this year – with the State Government promising “no stone is being left unturned” to protect SA’s horticulture industry.

Jan 15, 2021, updated Jan 15, 2021
Photo supplied

Photo supplied

The Government today declared a new outbreak of Queensland fruit fly in Renmark West following the discovery of larvae in a resident’s backyard.

It comes after two Queensland fruit fly outbreaks were declared in Renmark West and Monash in the state’s Riverland region over the past two weeks.

A fourth outbreak of Mediterranean fruit fly has also declared in Black Forest after authorities detected larvae in home-grown fruit.

Authorities have established a 1.5-kilomtres radius around the two new outbreaks, with a 7.5-kilometre suspension area around the Black Forest outbreak zone and a 15-kilometre suspension area around the new Renmark West site.

The Black Forest outbreak area will remain in place until at least April 5, both Riverland West outbreak areas will last until at least April 6 and the Monash area will remain until at least March 22.

More than 70 Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA) staff are on the ground in the Riverland today applying organic bait and removing fruit from affected properties.

“We are throwing everything we can at the Riverland fruit fly outbreaks as we recognise the importance of eradicating this pest as fast as possible,” Primary Industries and Regional Development Minister David Basham said.

“No stone is being left unturned to protect our $1.3 billion fruit fly vulnerable horticulture industry.”

InDaily in your inbox. The best local news every workday at lunch time.
By signing up, you agree to our User Agreement andPrivacy Policy & Cookie Statement. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Basham said PIRSA was working with growers to ensure they have suitable treatment options for their fruit to go to market.

The outbreaks have no impact on the fruit fly free status for the rest of the Riverland pest-free area or the state.

Residents in the affected outbreak areas are being urged to allow PIRSA staff easy access to their gardens, pick up all fallen and over-ripe fruit and removing remaining fruit from trees in their backyard, and not removing home-grown fruit or fruiting vegetables from the 1.5-kilometre outbreak area.

They are also being urged to report and seal in an air-tight container any suspected fruit fly or maggots in home-grown fruit-fly hotline on 1300 666 010.

A dedicated line has also been established for industry queries on 1800 255 556.

Local News Matters
Advertisement
Copyright © 2024 InDaily.
All rights reserved.