Fruit fly vigilance plea

THE fruit industry is urging everyone from backyard fruit growers to orchardists and consumers to be vigilant for fruit fly.

Fruit Growers Tasmania business development manager Phil Pyke said anyone who came across suspect fruit should report it immediately to Biosecurity Tasmania.

People are required by law to promptly report any signs of fruit fly on their property.

“Fruit fly can spread so easily it can be as simple as biting into a stone fruit and finding a larvae inside then throwing it outside a window. If that larvae was fruit fly then it could take hold,” Mr Pyke said.

Adult fruit flies and larvae were found last month in apricots at Spreyton and on Flinders Island.

Fruit flies cause enormous damage to fruit and some vegetable crops.

A 15km radial control zone has been established around the fruit fly discovery at Spreyton under new protocols to maintain domestic and international market access for Tasmanian fruit.

Export protocols are negotiated by the Commonwealth Government.

Only host fruits and vegetables that have been treated to an appropriate standard are to be moved to any market from within the control zone. Host fruits and vegetables are those susceptible to fruit fly attack

Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment staff will be in the North-West tomorrow and Friday to explain the proforma to access a $2 million industry assistance package.

The support package is being made available immedi- ately to affected fruit growers, distributors and retailers.

The industry is starting an awareness campaign urging the public and all growers to be vigilant in the fight to stop fruit fly taking hold in Tasmania.

Biosecurity Tasmania is setting up insect traps and collecting fruit in areas near the fruit fly detections and will place 1000 traps around the state.

For updates go to: dpip we.tas.gov.au/fruitfly