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Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2013-05-02 Daily Xml
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FRUIT FLY

The Hon. S.G. WADE (14:37): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries a question regarding fruit fly roadblocks.

Leave granted.

The Hon. S.G. WADE: In light of the fruit fly outbreaks in Adelaide and increased risks from the pest interstate, the Riverland is under threat of an outbreak through all entrances to the region. Biosecurity SA has indicated in the media that it will increase the number of random roadblocks for vehicles going into the Riverland. My questions are:

1. What is the current number of random roadblocks held annually in South Australia, and what are details of the roadblock increases to the Riverland?

2. Will the minister commit to establishing new random roadblocks in the Riverland as proposed by Biosecurity SA?

3. Were any on-the-spot fines handed out at the Blanchetown random roadblock on ANZAC Day, 25 April 2013?

4. Given the increased threat of fruit fly to South Australia, has the Labor government commissioned any research or surveys to determine the major origin points of travellers coming into our state?

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) (14:38): Biosecurity SA does conduct random roadblocks specifically designed for those high traffic times such as holidays, etc., and these are designed, obviously, as one of our means of protecting against fruit fly and remaining a fruit fly-free state. I am advised that the random roadblocks at Blanchetown inspected a large number of vehicles and, as officers do, they tried to use those roadblocks not just as an opportunity to stop breaches but they also used it as an opportunity to educate and inform members of the public about the importance of remaining fruit fly free and the risk of carrying even a single piece of fruit into that zone, what sort of adverse effects that could have.

This is obviously part of our ongoing efforts to ensure that South Australia remains fruit fly free. It is a horticulture pest that could put our $675 million fresh fruit and vegetable growing industry at risk. It is important to educate the public so that they know about the potential dangers. In terms of the actual numbers of roadblocks over the last 12 months, I am happy to take that on notice. I do not have those numbers, but I am happy to take that on notice and bring back a response, but I do have statistics for the last four roadblocks that were conducted since November 2012.

The number of vehicles stopped, I am advised, is 3,184. Verbal cautions issued on site were 629. The report of offence notices issued were 75, with 40 waiting on determination if a caution is issued or an expiation notice is issued. The number of expiation notices issued was 73, plus extra from roadblocks undertaken in December near Bordertown and on Australia Day near Blanchetown. I am advised that another two roadblocks were planned for February and March. The message is quite simple. If you are wanting to visit the region you are more than welcome, but you are not welcome to bring any fruit or vegetables.

In relation to new roadblocks, I have mentioned in this place before that we have a permanent roadblock strategy and other biosecurity measures, including a random roadblock arrangement, to complement that protection. We shift those random roadblocks around in a way so that visitors might not expect that we are there or cannot necessarily anticipate that we are there, so there is a bit of a surprise effect. We shift them in a way that is determined by an assessment made by officers on an as needs basis; so that looks at where public holidays are occurring in which states, which way traffic might be flowing, etc. Those assessments are made by our officers and the random roadblocks are adjusted accordingly. That program is in place and it will continue in place.

I indicated in this place yesterday that if there were to be any new additional strategies or initiatives then the industry would need to consider coinvesting with the government. Our assessment is that we monitor vigilantly right throughout the year on risks associated with fruit fly infestation. That monitoring is highly effective. It is working. Important horticulture areas remain fruit fly free, and I have already outlined in this place on a number of occasions the measures that we have in place to ensure that those protections remain active. The work we are doing at the moment is effective and the strategies are working. New initiatives would require additional funding and, as I said, currently the government funds these fruit fly initiatives 100 per cent. If the industry wants additional initiatives they would need to consider, as I have said previously, coinvesting with the government in any new initiatives.

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