FRUIT FLY

The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS (15:13): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries a question regarding South Australia's fruit fly program.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS: On 30 January this year, it was reported in the Riverland Weekly newspaper that 231 vehicles were found to be carrying fruit into the Riverland in breach of restrictions at a random roadblock operated during the Australia Day long weekend at Blanchetown. My questions are:

1. Prior to the Australia Day long weekend, did Biosecurity SA publicly promote the fact that it would be operating additional roadblocks to inspect vehicles for fruit being taken into the Riverland?

2. Are officers at random roadblocks empowered to issue fines to people found in breach of restrictions in relation to carrying fruit into the Riverland?

3. Were any of the people found in breach of restrictions at the Blanchetown roadblock issued with fines?

4. If that is not the case, will anyone who was caught in breach of the restrictions eventually be fined?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for State/Local Government Relations) (15:14): As honourable members would know, Biosecurity SA conducts random roadblocks during high traffic times such as holiday periods to assist in keeping fruit fly out of South Australia. I am advised that the random roadblock at Blanchetown during the recent Australia Day long weekend was seen as very successful, with 1,384 vehicles inspected over two days and 448 of the vehicles detected with potential fruit fly host material.

This is part of our ongoing efforts to ensure that South Australia remains fruit fly free. As we know—I have mentioned it in this place before—it is a horticultural pest which could put our $675 million fresh fruit and veg industry at risk, and so it is really important to educate the public so that they know the potential dangers of carrying fruit fly into South Australia or into our fruit growing areas.

Of these vehicles, 217 were compliant because drivers had an itemised receipt for the fruit which they were carrying in their vehicles at the time, and of course if they can demonstrate that the materials were bought in South Australia then they are able to take them into that area. That means that 231 were reported for breaching the Plant Health Act 2009. Of these 231 reports, 13 have been referred for further action and that would constitute either a formal warning or an expiation, so those are currently still being processed.

The expiation notice issued is for around $375. In circumstances where an inspector believes more than just an expiation is warranted, the matter can be referred for further determination, and this in fact was the case at a random roadblock at Blanchetown in December 2010, where, I am advised, a member of the public was found to be carrying 68 unlabelled boxes of fruit fly host material into the Riverland. That matter was investigated and the person was charged for breaching the Plant Health Act 2009 at a hearing in the Magistrates Court. The person was convicted and fined $5,000.

The roadblock efforts resulted in 370 kilos of fruit fly host material being seized and disposed of to make sure that it presents no threat to our agricultural industries. This kind of effort will obviously be repeated before the end of summer, so it is most important that people do not risk such a fine.