An outbreak of Queensland fruit fly in one of Australia’s main table grape producing areas could affect some international markets as harvesting begins in the region.
Following the detection of the pest in the Victorian township of Robinvale, the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) has declared a 15km suspension zone in an effort to contain the spread of the pest.
DPI senior market access officer Gary D’Arcy said in a media release it was important the pest was eradicated as soon as possible to minimise the impact on fruit grown within the Greater Sunraysia Pest Free Area.
“Following the declaration all host fruit will need to be certified under a DPI arrangement prior to leaving the 15km suspension zone and moving to other Victorian markets and sensitive interstate markets, including South Australia, Western Australia and the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area of New South Wales,” said Mr D’Arcy.
“An eradication period program will commence within a 1.5km radius of the detection site in a Robinvale home garden.”
Exporter and industry stalwart David Minnis told Fruitnet.com some markets that don’t currently require intransit cold disinfestation treatment of Australian table grapes could block access to fruit from the affected region.
These include New Zealand, India and the Pacific Islands.
He added exports to Indonesia could also be disrupted, which was of concern as it was a significant market for Australian table grapes, and took a high percentage of smaller sized berries from the country.
Australian Table Grapes Association chairman Nick Muraca told Fruitnet.com the DPI would now conduct a baiting program over a period of time, and provided no more fruit fly were discovered, the outbreak would officially have been contained.
