Millions of sterile fruit flies are set to be released in two areas that have witnessed an outbreak of the Mediterranean fruit fly, in a bid to eradicate the horticultural pest. The release of one million flies per week over the next eight weeks forms part of the eradication program for the two Mediterranean fruit fly outbreaks in Thevenard and Ceduna, which were declared earlier this year.
Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Tim Whetstone said South Australia had an outstanding track record for successfully eradicating fruit fly outbreaks: “It is only a matter of time before we eradicate these current outbreaks and South Australia has a 100 per cent success record in fruit fly eradication.”
According to westcoastsentinel.com.au, Whetstone said the state government was investing $5 million per year in an effort to keep South Australia free from fruit fly, helping to protect the state’s $1.25 billion horticulture industry and allowing South Australians to “eat our backyard fruit and vegetables”.
“Keeping South Australia free of fruit fly is everyone’s responsibility and it’s a timely reminder for travellers to South Australia to remember to ‘Eat It, Bin It or Declare It’,” he said.
