Grower-owned research and development body Horticulture Innovation Australia (Hort Innovation) is urging commercial fruit and vegetable growers to take part in a survey on Queensland fruit fly (Qfly)
The phone-based survey is being run by CSIRO as part of the SITplus initiative, a collaborative multi-faceted project to manage Qfly through sterile insect technique (SIT).
“This is an opportunity to share your thoughts and help inform future approaches to the management of Qlfy, which is a pest of huge economic significance for the horticulture industry. The insect is costing an estimated A$300m in lost produce and trade opportunities,” said Hort Innovation CEO John Lloyd.
The survey will collate attitudes towards the use of SIT, which involves releasing sterile fruit flies to control the population of wild flies, as well as attitudes towards Area Wide Management (AWM), an integrated pest-management approach involving the whole community.
The survey is looking to focus on growers in the Riverland, Sunraysia and Goulburn Valley regions, with Hort Innovation asking growers to register for the survey, which will take place mid-September.
