RIVERLAND backyards are the new battlegrounds amid the declaration of an eighth local fruit fly outbreak.
PIRSA last week declared a new fruit fly outbreak at Renmark North, following the detection of five wild flies within 14 days, all inside a 1km radius.
Riverland Fruit Fly Committee chair Jason Size said eradicating fruit fly was crucial to the long-term viability of local horticulture.
“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.”
It is understood commercial fruit movement restrictions mean all potential host material must be treated and certified before leaving a fruit fly-affected area.
Chaffey MP Tim Whetstone advised all Riverlanders against sharing fruit between properties.
“I cannot emphasise enough the importance of the community’s co-operation if we are to overcome these outbreaks,” Mr Whetstone said.
“Fruit fly is one of the world’s most destructive pests and we continue to ask the public and locals to stop the movement of prohibited fruit and veg.
“If you’re living in a suspension zone you shouldn’t be moving any fruit, residential grown or commercially bought, from outside of that zone. We’re also asking that backyard-grown fruit not be removed from the property regardless of whether it is in a suspension zone or not.
“These outbreaks are frustrating; however, I am confident that the community will work together to help rid this pest. If we are to overcome these outbreaks, our community must work in partnership with growers, and closely follow the directions of PIRSA.”
PIRSA general manager of the fruit fly response, Nick Secomb, said promptly picking ripe fruit and vegetables, disposing of fallen fruit in a green bin, and checking fruit for blemishes and maggots would assist the prevention of further outbreaks.
“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,” he said.
“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 primary producers financially affected by the fruit fly outbreaks have been encouraged to contact the Family and Business Support program by phone on 1800 931 314, or by visiting the website (www.pir.sa.gov.au/fabs).
For further information regarding fruit fly outbreaks in the Riverland visit the website.