Fourteen fruit fly outbreaks threatening the highly prized stone fruit, citrus and grape region have led to an unprecedented drive to rid the region of the pest, with a new pilot program now being introduced.

Primary Industries Minister Claire Scriven said several fruit fly outbreaks were traced to unmaintained backyard fruit trees and the Primary Industries and Regions department was partnering with Loxton Waikerie Council to target potential outbreak sites.

She said some residents found it difficult to routinely pick, collect and check fruit and the pilot program meant they could register to get help in efforts to protect the region – a major contributor to the state’s $1.4 billion horticulture industry.

“Residents will be able to choose to have their fruit trees removed without charge and replaced with more suitable species, reducing the amount of backyard work they need to do, and reducing the risk of fruit fly at the same time,” Scriven said.

Loxton Waikerie Mayor Leon Stasinowsky said the voluntary pilot meant residents could replace their unwanted fruit trees with a drought-tolerant native, meaning less water and maintenance.

It comes as the growers and government experts launched a new battle to eradicate fruit fly in the Riverland after being plagued by the pest for the past 18 months, with 20 million sterile fruit flies a week being released from this month.

Commercial growers are being urged to now register for a new self-baiting program where they will be supplied with bait and lures to use on their properties to augment PIRSA’s work in the highest-risk areas.

From today Riverland shoppers can also now freely purchase any fruit and vegetables at their local retailers and move across fruit fly outbreak and suspension boundaries – if they secure fruit and carry an itemised purchase receipt.

Scriven said the former government banned the purchase of fruit and veg from retail stores in January 2021, but the changes does not affect ongoing restrictions on bringing certain fruit and vegetables into the Riverland Pest Free Area.

The ban has meant Riverland residents were restricted in what fruit and vegetables they could purchase from shops in red outbreak areas.

“We know that retail fruit across South Australia is certified as free from fruit fly before it even hits the shelves, so this is an appropriate change to help local residents,” Scriven said.

“It is important to note that backyard fruit in red outbreak areas must still stay at home and not be moved or shared.”