Fruit Fly Outbreak

The Hon. F. PANGALLO (15:14): I have a question for the Minister for Primary Industries about fruit fly. Can the primary industries minister please provide an update on the fruit fly outbreak in the north-eastern suburbs and whether the 15-kilometre zone restricting the movement and sale of fruit from commercial primary producers is likely to be extended beyond April, or will it be withdrawn on the scheduled time?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (15:15): I thank the honourable member for his question. As members would be aware, there has been a fruit fly outbreak at Glynde, which was declared on 22 January, which affects Glynde but also the surrounding suburbs. Members might be aware that there is a national protocol in place that determines our actions to a large degree when there is a fruit fly outbreak, particularly of Queensland fruit fly. These protocols enable the rest of our producers to continue to claim pest-free status for our state, and it is important in protecting our very valuable industry in terms of fruit and vegetables.

The PIRSA response plan is in place, and a response team has been doing eradication procedures. That includes things like a baiting program for a period of 12 weeks, as per the national protocol, applying baits to trees within the red centre (which is 200 metres from the initial outbreak point) twice per week, and once per week within a 1.5-kilometre red outbreak zone. It also includes implementing hygiene practices across the red outbreak zone, such as collecting fallen fruit and stripping and treating fruit trees with maggot-infested fruit or vegetables. It also includes undertaking technical checks, including inspecting fruit and vegetables across the red outbreak zone.

Staff from PIRSA offer support to affected growers, including in ways that they can continue to access markets. There are a number of established ways of transporting fruit that might be within a fruit fly suspension zone and ensuring that they can continue to trade under those protocols.

It is important to note that the 15 kilometres is, as I think I have said in this place before, a requirement under the national protocols. PIRSA believes they have evidence to suggest that a more appropriate area would be 7½ kilometres, and both PIRSA and myself as minister have advocated for that position. However, unless there is agreement from all the jurisdictions, including the commonwealth, changes to those protocols cannot occur. We will continue to advocate for that change.

In terms of the end date of the outbreak, 20 May, as I recall, was the expected end date. Where there is an additional detection, that can change that. I believe growers were advised yesterday that there has been an additional detection. I am happy to bring back further advice to this place.