A horticultural body is calling for the federal government to review trading agreements to prevent harvest headaches for orange growers.
Key points:
- Fruit fly restrictions have been extended in parts of the Riverland until October
- This comes after fruit fly was detected in-between the Pike River and Renmark West suspension zones
- Citrus SA chair says the rules will affect more than half of the state’s growers
Fruit fly restrictions have been extended in South Australia’s Riverland until October 25 following detections of the pests in surveillance traps in suspension areas.
Citrus SA chair Mark Doecke said the news was a blow for the entire industry.
“It’s very disappointing for everyone concerned — growers, packers, exporters — because we were hoping they wouldn’t find any more detections,” Mr Doecke said.
Mr Doecke said the restrictions would affect more than half of the state’s citrus production.
The extra treatment, documentation and logistical processes required to get fruit to market will cost growers hundreds of thousands of dollars.
“I can only pass on the frustration of everyone who has worked hard to rid the Riverland of this pest,” Mr Doecke said.
Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) fruit fly response general manager, Nick Secomb said the new detections had come at a time when it was possible for Queensland fruit fly to survive the colder months and into spring.
“Fruit fly over winter, which is similar to hibernation,” Mr Secomb said.
“Adult flies can emerge from the pupae in as little as seven days during summer, but are able to survive as adults over winter.”
Review required
Despite a looming state election, Mr Doecke said the responsibility for fixing the problem was at a federal level.
“I think the state government has done a reasonable job within the constraints of the protocol,” he said.
“It’s more a negotiating with trading partners and the federal government to try to get some of these rules changed or modified that were actually made up the best part of 30 years ago.
“It’s time for an update.”
Mr Doecke said recent research had shown that some of the current rules were outdated.
“Of course, we want our Pest Free Area under the current rules it’s achievable, no doubt about that.
“But into the future, you don’t make things harder for yourself.”
The ABC has contacted Federal Agriculture Minister David Littleproud for comment.
Public plea
Primary Industries South Australia has released posters and flyers explaining fruit fly management rules for backyard growers in 12 different languages.
This comes amid pleas from growers for the public to help by ensuring they follow the rules on moving and disposing of fruit.
Despite most of the outbreak originating from backyard fruit trees, South Australian Primary Industries Minister David Basham said banning household horticulturists was not the answer.
He also said increasing fines for people bringing fruit and vegetables into the Riverland would not improve compliance.
“I just think it’s important that people understand how much employment they are putting at risk,” Mr Basham said.
The Opposition’s primary industries spokeswoman Clare Scriven criticised the Liberal government for being too slow to communicate fruit fly rules to the community.
“I knew people who lived in some of those outbreak areas who didn’t receive anything or didn’t recall receiving anything [in their letterboxes],” Ms Scriven said.
She also said educational materials for schools about fruit fly were only distributed in September, the third term of the year.
“It was a lack of that swift action, which certainly doesn’t help,” Ms Scriven said.
“We have to be very responsive when these outbreaks do occur and that’s the only way to really keep them in check.”