Money only part of solution to controlling fruit fly in Southern Australia

Unless there is more industry consultation and communication on biosecurity, a large slice of the $900m industry is at risk in our state, says the Horticulture Coalition of South Australia, following the latest outbreak of fruit fly in SA.

“There is an urgent need for a joint industry and government approach to review, planning and action to safeguard South Australia’s fruit producers otherwise our industry could be in trouble,” said the Chair of the Horticulture Coalition of SA Inc., Mr. Trevor Ranford.

“We welcome the State Opposition’s commitment to increase annual funding for fruit fly program by $125,000, but money can only be used effectively if the program has industry support. It is time for whoever is in government to work more with the industry,” Mr Ranford said. “We also thank the consumer for reporting the maggots found in imported plums from Victoria and encourage ALL south Australians to be vigilant and report any maggots/flies found in fruit, vegetables and nuts. Everyone can play a part in protecting our fruit.”

Mr. Ranford says the horticulture industry has not been consulted in the new import arrangements for produce from Victoria. “It is obvious that the inspection requirements at the time of packing has failed. We believe a new Biosecurity Consultative Committee needs to review the current Interstate Certification Assurance (ICA) arrangements and investigate other cost-effective methods to increase inspections of produce from other states.”

The Horticulture Coalition’s Blueprint calls for several actions on biosecurity, such as:

The re-establishment of the Horticulture Biosecurity Consultative Committee and maintain the South Australian Fruit Fly Committee as a sub–committee of this committee.
Government in partnership with industry investigate and invest in additional alternative methods of fruit fly treatment.
Government in partnership with industry drive the development and long-term funding of a National Fruit Fly Action Plan.
Retain and increase the current Fruit Fly Program including trapping grids and road blocks – both permanent and mobile - and for that program to continue to be funded through the PIRSA/biosecurity budget.
Increase the capacity within South Australia in areas of Plant Biosecurity surveillance and diagnostics through specific programs funded by government, research and development programs and/or industry.

“We are having too many outbreaks and breaches for fruit coming into South Australia –we need a bi-partisan approach - are Labor and Liberal representatives willing to commit to working with industry to deliver greater biosecurity when it comes to fruit fly?” Mr. Ranford said.

“It is good to see the Riverland Fruit Fly Contingency Plan now in action. It is an excellent example of the work undertaken cooperatively by Biosecurity SA, industry representatives, local government and community groups during 2013,” said Mr. Ranford. Everybody within the Riverland Region and across South Australia needs to get behind the Contingency Plan and support Biosecurity SA in the implementation process over the coming three months.”

For more information:
Trevor Ranford
Horticulture Coalition of SA Inc
Tel: +1 0417 809 172
Email: sahort@bigpond.com