South Australia remains the sole mainland state in Australia devoid of an established fruit fly population, distinguishing itself for its clean fruit and vegetable production. However, the region has confronted 54 Queensland fruit-fly outbreaks since December 2020, imposing substantial financial burdens on local farmers. Raj Ghuman, a farmer from Lowana Fruits, highlighted the considerable costs, time, and stress involved in combating the pest, threatening the viability of her stone fruit business.
The South Australian government has allocated $145.9 million towards fruit fly eradication efforts since 2020, reflecting the high stakes of maintaining the region's pest-free status. This status allows for reduced chemical use in agriculture, offering advantages such as premium pricing and broader access to international markets. However, the current outbreaks have necessitated increased treatment protocols, raising concerns about chemical usage on crops among farmers like Ghuman.
Tim Grieger, Summerfruit SA executive officer, emphasized the broader benefits of eradication, noting that the presence of fruit flies would necessitate increased chemical treatments contrary to global consumer trends. The pest poses a threat to approximately 95% of South Australia's $1.3 billion horticulture industry. Primary Industries Minister Clare Scriven and Con Poulos, PIRSA's fruit fly response general manager, have both expressed commitment to regaining the pest-free status, citing decreasing fruit fly activity in outbreak areas.
Mark Doecke, Citrus SA chair, outlined the financial implications of the outbreaks, with the citrus industry incurring an additional $20 million annually for cold treatment and transportation. The eradication efforts, though costly, are deemed necessary to avoid greater expenses and the potential endemic presence of fruit flies in South Australia. The state's unique position in the horticulture industry, supporting around 4,000 businesses and 30,000 jobs, underscores the importance of maintaining its pest-free status.
With the largest fruit fly eradication response in the Riverland's history underway, stakeholders across the board are determined to protect South Australia's horticultural industry from the devastating impact of the pest.
Source: ABC News