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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2013-06-20 Daily Xml
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FRUIT FLY

The Hon. S.G. WADE (14:44): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries a question relating to fruit fly random roadblocks.

Leave granted.

The Hon. S.G. WADE: With four Mediterranean fruit fly outbreaks in metropolitan Adelaide this year, the Riverland is under increasing pressure from the threat of this pest. On the long weekend, beginning on 7 June, Biosecurity SA held random roadblocks in the Riverland at Blanchetown and Swan Reach at which 160 kilograms of fruit was seized and a local grower had 3.5 tonnes of fruit seized in one consignment, as I am advised. My questions to the minister are:

1. What action has or will be taken against the local grower who reportedly was caught carrying 3.5 tonnes of fruit into the Riverland?

2. Of the 17 per cent of vehicles caught bringing fruit illegally into the region, how many were given on-the-spot fines?

3. What is the Labor government doing to increase education on fruit fly in South Australia?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for State/Local Government Relations) (14:45): I thank the honourable member for his most important question. I have spoken about our fruit fly strategy in this place on many occasions, so I am just not going to go through all of our activities and strategies and programs. I cannot believe the honourable member cannot read Hansard. I have described them well.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: Well, I am trying to avoid having to spend another 20 minutes outlining something that I have already addressed in this place, so you can go and have a look at that. We have a significant fruit fly strategy with a number of elements to it, including education, inspection roadblocks, fly traps, etc. The honourable member can get the details of that out of Hansard. I will not repeat them.

In relation to the specific questions about on-the-spot fines and suchlike, I am happy to take that on notice and bring back a response. In relation to the incident that he referred to with the chap who did not have an identification of the fruit, the fruit was confiscated and destroyed, and I believe that they are looking to see whether further action against him needs to be taken or not. That is the advice I have received.

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