Avocado Industry and Fruit Fly

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) (14:45): I seek leave to make a brief explanation prior to addressing questions to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development regarding avocados.

Leave granted.

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI: The opposition understands that for over two years—since the current incursion of Queensland fruit fly here in South Australia—there has been a protocol discrepancy in managing Queensland fruit fly in avocados grown in the Riverland pest-free area. We understand that there is a working policy, ICA-30, 'Pre-harvest bait spraying & monitoring, & post-harvest packing, grading & inspection of host produce', for movement of produce interstate, which includes procedures for fumigation of five varietals of avocados in regard to Mediterranean fruit fly, but only includes Hass and Lamb Hass varietals for Queensland fruit fly and not Fuerte, Sharwill, Reed or other types.

Growers have been urging PIRSA for two years to update their ICA-30 protocol scope with simple solutions, such as 'Hass and any other varietals', with no outcome. The latest update to ICA-30, I understand, was on 15 February this year. One grower has told me, and I quote: 'It's taking way too long to develop these protocols and the communication has been appalling.' My questions to the minister are:

1. Can the minister explain what is the bureaucratic hold-up in simple protocol updates for something as important as Queensland fruit fly management for our growers?

2. How is the minister ensuring that industry communication is prioritised, targeted and effective?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:47): I thank the honourable member for her question. I think the phrase 'simple update to protocols' is worthy of some discussion and consideration. Protocols can refer both to international protocols—trade protocols—as well as our protocols within the country and therefore between states.

When there are changes to protocols my advice is that they can be quite a long process, particularly any changes to international protocols, because they need to not only be agreed with our trading partners—and different protocols apply for different trade destinations—but also I guess get to the top of the list of proposed changes to trade protocol arrangements. Given that many countries will be, if you like, almost competing for that space in terms of getting it onto the top of the agenda, that can take quite a long time.

In terms of interstate protocols there needs to obviously be consultation not just with industry but with the other jurisdictions, and I am aware that that can also take some time. As far as I am aware, the specific issue of avocados to which the honourable member refers hasn't been raised directly with me, but in terms of the overall process I appreciate it can be difficult, but changing any kind of protocols and particularly an item that has implications on other jurisdictions and nationally can be a difficult process.