New long-term strategy looks to keep Tasmania fruit fly free
Primary Industries Minister Jeremy Rockliff said Tasmanian fruit exports would be significantly impacted if fruit fly became established in the state.
About three quarters of the state’s fruit exports go into key markets in Asia that are sensitive to fruit fly.
Developed in collaboration with fruit growers and the industry, the strategy includes research into the pest’s life cycle and behaviour under Tasmanian conditions.
The strategy also includes ongoing stakeholder engagement, preventive treatments for fruit-fly host material and mitigation of risks to Tasmania through the sterile insect technique program interstate.
“This long-term strategy helps protect Tasmania’s brand for high quality and it keeps us ahead of the game and ahead of the risk of fruit fly so that our fruit industry can continue to invest and grow with confidence, creating jobs in regional areas,” Mr Rockliff said.
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