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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2012-09-04 Daily Xml
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FRUIT FLY

The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS (14:59): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries a question regarding fruit fly.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS: As members know, South Australia has long had an international reputation for its fruit fly free status, which is imperative for a horticultural sector that is integral to the state's economy. PIRSA released a media statement on 23 August that states as follows:

Biosecurity SA says it will continue to remain vigilant and maintain ongoing surveillance efforts to ensure South Australia retains its fruit fly free status.

It further states:

Biosecurity SA continues its efforts on fruit fly surveillance and in combating minor fruit fly outbreaks that have occurred largely in the metropolitan area.

My questions are as follows:

1. Will the minister indicate if funding dedicated to fruit fly surveillance and containing fruit fly outbreaks in South Australia will be increased to allow Biosecurity SA to achieve these aims?

2. What assurances of protection can the minister give to the people of the Riverland and South Australia in the event of an outbreak of fruit fly in that region?

3. Given the previous high detection rate of the random fruit fly quarantine roadblocks that were set up earlier this year, will the minister commit to increasing the number of quarantine roadblocks, both random and mobile, operating during peak tourist periods around the state?

4. What will the minister do to minimise the risk of outbreaks emanating from other interstate routes leading into South Australia?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Tourism, Minister for the Status of Women) (15:01): I thank the honourable member for his questions and his ongoing interest in this very important issue. In terms of funding for fruit fly, our funding remains the same, and that has proved adequate. The indication is that our current biosecurity standards are very high and are capable of protecting the interests of our fruit industry here in South Australia.

South Australia's fruit fly protection remains very strong, with our roadblocks and signage along key entry points, which include the Riverland. Legal requirements remain for all commercial consignments entering South Australia, whereby importers must be registered with Biosecurity SA and transporters must forward all manifests for commercial consignments of fruit and vegetables and other plant material to Biosecurity SA prior to consignments entering the state.

A number of measures are being taken to ensure that South Australia remains fruit fly free, including the Pinnaroo quarantine station, which is one month ahead of schedule. Biosecurity SA's quarantine staff are aware of the risks of fruit fly entering South Australia. We are well aware of those, and this season's fruit fly community awareness campaign will continue to make sure that we make very clear the protections outlined on posters at various entry points and tourism outlets.

That is a message reminding people that fruit fly is in their hands and that people can help make a big difference. PIRSA also appreciates the high community support that it gets from people. Their support is very welcome. My understanding is that, obviously, with some of the changes happening in Victoria, we continue to work collaboratively with our trading partners across the borders.

Biosecurity SA and the government will obviously continue to monitor carefully deliberations in Victoria and, for that matter, in other states as well. I am advised that the immediate impact on South Australia of those changes is negligible as Biosecurity SA will continue to remain vigilant and continue with the aggressive program that we currently have in place and maintain those ongoing surveillance efforts to ensure that our fruit industry remains fruit fly free.

I just note that I have been advised that there has not been a fruit fly breakout in the Riverland since 1991 despite hundreds of fruit fly outbreaks actually occurring in the Eastern States. I think that is a real testament not only to the efforts of our PIRSA inspectors but also to the South Australian public and the degree of vigilance and caution that they take in ensuring that our state remains fruit fly free.

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