Easing in fruit fly zone restrictions

CHANGES to the fruit fly control zone restrictions allowing local sales of fruit will bring relief for some growers.

Primary Industries and Water Minister Sarah Courtney has announced that from October 1, growers within the 15km control zones will be able to sell or move fruit within those areas. However, growers in the tighter zones, 1.5km from the fruit fly detection sites, will still have to abide by the current restrictions.

Craig Morris from the Turners Beach Berry Patch, whose farm is in the broader control zone, said the changes were welcome, but growers were still facing big challenges.

“It will certainly help with the local sales and the pick your own side of the business,” he said. “But the biggest part of our business, which is the wholesale side, is still shut down.”

Much of Mr Morris’s fruit is normally sold into Tasmania’s wholesale markets in Hobart and Launceston. However this is not possible now due to the fumigation requirements and impact on fruit quality, which he says makes the fruit they produce unsuitable for sale.

Growers including Mr Mor- ris have criticised changes by the State Government to the fruit fly assistance package which will remove grower compensation for lost or undersold fruit from the program from October 1.

“The most disappointing thing is that the minister seems to have backed away from the Government’s original commitment that no grower would be worse off,” he said.

The State Government says lifting all the control zones is on track for January 9. Until then, fruit cannot be moved outside the control zones, unless fumigation and packaging processes are followed.

Other measures to support growers have been put in place during the transition period.

This includes a Transitional Assistance Program for growers within control zones to help with treatment costs and other related expenses.

Reasonable biosecurity and farm hygiene costs will also be covered and the Government will also continue to pay for the disposal of fruit.

A new $4 million Fruit Fly Concessional Loan Scheme will be offered to provide support to affected businesses for operating costs necessary to restart or redevelop their operations.