A new Queensland fruit fly outbreak has been declared in Renmark North, following the detection of flies in monitoring traps.
Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) staff will be visiting properties in the new 1.5km red outbreak area, which overlaps the existing Renmark West outbreak area and takes in the localities Renmark North and Chaffey. Restrictions on the movement of fruit and vegetables at risk from fruit fly are now in place in the new outbreak and suspension areas.
General Manager of the Fruit Fly Response Nick Secomb said the trigger for the new outbreak, in accordance with National Fruit Fly Management Protocols, has been the detection of five wild flies within 14 days within a radius of 1km.
"PIRSA is now contacting residents and growers in the new Renmark North outbreak area as part of the fruit fly eradication program," Mr Secomb said.
"Our teams in orange overalls are contacting residents with information about what to do now they are in a red outbreak area and will be regularly applying bait to foliage where fruit fly may rest, as well as checking fruit for signs of fruit fly.
"Search your address on the map on the fruit fly website to check if you’re in a red outbreak or yellow suspension area and how the movement restrictions affect you.
"If you are in a red outbreak area, please keep your fruit and vegetables on your property and don’t share, sell or give them away.
"Familiarise yourself with the restricted fruit and vegetable movements in the red, yellow and green areas and call the Fruit Fly Hotline for advice.
"We’re nearing the end of the usual peak months for fruit fly and maggot detections and we are confident these outbreaks can be eradicated, as we eradicated the Berri, Cooltong, Monash and 12 Adelaide outbreaks last year, but this success will rely on residents and growers helping our efforts by doing everything they can to remove opportunities for fruit fly to breed."
Local stone fruit grower and Chair of the Riverland Fruit Fly Committee Jason Size urged Riverland residents to act now to protect the future of their backyard fruit and the ongoing viability of local growers.
"It’s not just our local industries and jobs at stake here, it’s also about you being able to walk into your own garden and pick your own fruit off the tree confident it won’t be ruined by maggots," said Mr Size.
"Growers are doing all they can to prevent fruit fly and look after their properties so the Riverland’s pest free status can be reinstated. This is critical for local industries, jobs and the local economy.
"We all want to be able to grow, share and enjoy backyard fruit, but at the moment that is at risk. It really is up to local residents to continue to support the government’s fruit fly eradication program so together we can beat this pest.
"Please, help by doing the right thing in your own garden and prevent fruit fly destroying locally grown fruit."
Follow these steps prevent fruit fly:
- pick your ripe fruit and vegetables promptly
- collect fallen fruit and put it in your green bin. If you don’t have a green bin, call the Fruit Fly Hotline for advice for your area. Don’t home compost or bury
- check your fruit for blemishes and maggots
- call if you see maggots in fruit. Seal it in a plastic bag and call the Fruit Fly Hotline on 1300 666 010
Commercial fruit movement restrictions are in place for all outbreak areas. All host material must be treated and certified before leaving a fruit fly affected area. Growers can contact the Industry Hotline on 1800 255 556 for further advice and support.
If you are a primary producer affected by the fruit fly outbreaks and you’re feeling overwhelmed, please seek free advice and support via the Family and Business Support program on 1800 931 314 or visit www.pir.sa.gov.au/fabs.
As long as there are no further fruit fly detections, the Renmark North outbreak area will remain in place until 17 December 2022. Overlap with the suspension areas for the Renmark West and Paringa outbreaks mean those end dates are extended to 17 December.
If there are further detections outbreak end dates can change – always check the fruit fly website for the most up to date information.