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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2012-03-29 Daily Xml
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FRUIT FLY

The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS (15:14): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries questions in relation to random fruit fly roadblocks.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.S.L. DAWKINS: On the recent Adelaide Cup long weekend, a random fruit fly roadblock was set up on the Sturt Highway, intercepting at Blanchetown a large number of vehicles using the road to enter or pass through the Riverland. A total of 366 vehicles were pulled over on Friday 9 March and Saturday 10 March. Of those 366 drivers, 103 of them were reported for introducing material into the quarantine zone. The random roadblock resulted in 180 kilograms of fruit being seized. This is an alarming figure, which shows just how many potentially infected fruit and vegetables are being introduced to the Riverland by drivers on a regular basis, particularly when random roadblocks are not in operation.

The Riverland and its producers are such an asset to this state, and the protection this area receives needs to be comparable to the region's importance to this state's economy. These concerns have been highlighted by my colleague the member for Chaffey in another place who, like many other food producers in the Riverland, is worried about the potential for fruit fly contamination in the quarantine zone should current strategies not be enhanced. My questions are:

1. Will the minister ensure that random fruit fly roadblocks will operate during the remaining long weekends this year, particularly over Easter and the Queen's Birthday weekend, when there is significant leisure traffic passing into and through the Riverland?

2. Considering that previous fruit fly quarantine roadblocks have operated only in the quarantine area for about 12 of the 72 hours of a long weekend, will the minister commit to extending the operating hours to protect the assets of this state that are featured in the Riverland?

3. Will the minister advise the council how many of the 103 drivers reported for introducing restricted material into the Riverland quarantine area on that long weekend will actually receive fines for these breaches?

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) (15:16): I thank the honourable member for his important questions. Indeed, fruit fly, and its management, are critical issues for South Australia. Fruit fly is the world's most economically significant horticultural pest.

Of course, we have a great legacy here in this state: South Australia is the only Australian mainland state or territory which is acknowledged as being fruit fly free for both the Mediterranean fruit fly and the Queensland fruit fly. Industry sources have indicated that area freedom for the Riverland provides the region with access to the US and Asian markets, with a net benefit of $3 to $5 a carton of citrus fruit. The value of this industry to the state is in the order of $600 million, I am advised.

A fruit fly exclusion zone encompassing the Riverland region of the state has been established under the Plant Health Act 2009 through the application of a quarantine zone. Under the terms of the quarantine order, home-grown fruit and vegetables that are fruit fly hosts must not be introduced into the exclusion zone. This is supported by a permanent quarantine station established at Yamba, between Renmark and Mildura, and signage and quarantine disposal bins at entry points to the exclusion zone. Random roadblocks are also operated at times of higher risk to the exclusion zone, such as when there are fruit fly outbreaks in the Adelaide metropolitan area.

Currently, three eradication operations are underway in the metropolitan area, and a random roadblock was established at Blanchetown on the Friday and Saturday morning of the Adelaide Cup long weekend. A total of 366 vehicles, including caravans and trailers, were inspected, and 181 vehicles (49.5 per cent) carried fruit and vegetables. Of those 181 vehicles, 78 (43 per cent) had valid receipts, and 103 were reported for introducing material into a quarantine zone (57 per cent).

The Hon. J.S.L. Dawkins: Will they be fined?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: I am not aware of that. There were three expiation notices and 100 written cautions issued, I am advised. The 103 vehicles carrying fruit and vegetables without a valid receipt represented 28 per cent of the total number of vehicles inspected, and this figure increased from 16 per cent from previous random roadblocks held at Blanchetown.

It is very pleasing to see that these roadblocks are really effective. It is very disappointing to see the number of breaches that still occur. It is clear that people have really no idea how irresponsible those actions could be and the devastating impact it could have on our industry.

In terms of the timing of the roadblocks and their duration, those assessments are done by officers who seek to ensure maximum coverage during peak times and times when the risks are highest. I certainly leave them to make those decisions and assessments. They do an extremely good job and they try very hard to maximise coverage and vigilance in relation to fruit fly.

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