The federal government will continue its investment in the management of fruit flies, with the moved welcomed by Citrus Australia. 

Fruit flies are recognised as one of the most important pests for horticultural production in Australia and can be a major constraint to domestic and international trade.

Citrus Australia’s market access manager David Daniels said any investment in helping control fruit flies was welcomed. 

“Fruit flies remain a big concern for growers,” he said. 

“They are a huge problem and there has been a lot of work done in controlling it. 

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“It’s an expensive operation controlling fruit fly, so any sort of funding to do so is good.”

Australia’s fruit is always in high demand across the globe and those markets want to know the flies aren’t a problem. 

National Fruit Fly Council chairman Jon Durham has also welcomed the news.

“Having a strong fruit fly system is very important as it will ensure growers and state governments have the tools they need to understand and manage the fruit fly threat, and to eradicate outbreaks if they occur,” he said.

“The changing impact of fruit flies in production regions and last year’s outbreaks highlight that we need to always be on our guard.”

The MIA region once had fruit fly exclusion zones where motorists couldn’t bring fruit into the area, but this no longer exists.

Residents are urged to do their part in the fight by managing the pest if they discover it in their plants at home. 

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