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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, Second Session (54-2)
2020-12-01 Daily Xml
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Fruit Fly

In reply to Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (17 November 2020).

The Hon. D.K.B. BASHAM (Finniss—Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development):

Following the detection of maggots in fruit bought at a local retail outlet by a member of the public, an immediate withdrawal from shelf of all mangoes from a Northern Territory producer was undertaken. The member of the public rang the fruit—fly hotline to report the incident on Friday 30 October 2020 and a response commenced immediately on the suspicion the maggots were fruit fly. Molecular testing of those maggots confirmed they are Jarvis' fruit fly—a relative of Queensland fruit fly which is native to the northern parts of Australia.

Jarvis' fruit fly does not occur in South Australia and this detection does not represent an outbreak of fruit fly. Due to the actions of the member of the public in reporting this incident, a product recall has been successful in preventing an incursion of this pest. The fruit entered the state as part of a commercial consignment with documentation indicating compliance with entry protocols.

As part of normal response procedures, a formal incident was raised with the Northern Territory government (where the mangoes originated) to investigate this matter. The producer has been suspended from supplying mangoes to South Australia under the treatment protocol involved until that investigation is completed. Further actions or sanctions will depend on the outcomes of that investigation. Jarvis' fruit fly and Queensland fruit fly are from the same genus of fruit flies (Bactrocera). Both are native to the northern parts of Australia and favour tropical to subtropical environments. However, Queensland fruit fly has a wider range along the east coast of Australia. Queensland fruit fly also has a wider host range compared to Jarvis' fruit fly, but they share several common host fruits. Queensland fruit fly has a higher tolerance towards colder temperatures compared to Jarvis' fruit fly. Mediterranean fruit fly is a different genus of fruit fly altogether and is established in a number of Mediterranean climates across the world. The Mediterranean fruit fly is smaller and develops faster than the other two species.

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