Bats

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) (14:26): I seek leave to make a brief explanation prior to addressing a question to the Minister for Primary Industries regarding bats.

Leave granted.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI: Bats, yes, as in the flying bats, not the cricket bats.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI: The Adelaide Hills is a highly productive zone for stone fruit and summer fruits, which are currently coming into their prime ripening and harvesting season.

The Hon. C.M. Scriven: Shall I bat it away?

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI: Sorry, I didn't think it was that funny.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI: No, I am not interested. Are you interested? Cherry picking is a seasonal delight shared by many Adelaide families, and the Hills offers a fantastic bridge for metropolitan dwellers to learn more about food and fibre production. However, the Adelaide Hills is also home to a growing number of sizeable flying fox colonies, which feed on nectar and fruit. I have been approached by industry as they are seeking solutions suitable to minimising the impact of flying foxes, knowing that they are protected under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. My questions to the minister are:

1. Has the minister consulted with industry in the Adelaide Hills regarding the growing impact of flying foxes on fruit production?

2. What plans does the minister and her department have to combat fruit production loss in the Adelaide Hills, noting that a continual loss of fruit at peak harvest will cause increased prices for consumers this Christmas?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:28): I thank the honourable member for her question. This is an issue that has been raised. I was with fruitgrowers just this morning in fact, out at the Pooraka produce markets. It is not something that has been raised directly with me. I will check whether it has been raised directly with the department in recent times but, given the honourable member says that producers have raised it with her, she is very welcome to encourage them to contact me. I am always very accessible and happy to discuss.