Relief as fruit fly restrictions end

Restrictions were eased at Loxton yesterday and will be lifted at Pyap on Saturday after a PIRSA response and eradication program found no further fruit flies.

Eleven males were detected in traps at both sites in January and quarantine areas extending 1.5 kilometres along with 15km suspension zones were put in place immediately.

State agriculture minister Leon Bignell said it was the region’s first fruit fly outbreak in 23 years.

"A concerted effort by PIRSA eradication staff, together with support by growers, exporters, local businesses and residents, has ensured that the Q-fly outbreak did not spread and was quickly contained," he said.

"We have not had any further Q-flies detected since February 1 in the extensive additional trapping grid that was established."

Fruit and fruiting vegetables - including citrus, stone fruit, pome fruit, tablegrapes, tomatoes, chillies, eggplant and capsicums – could not be moved from the area during quarantine unless they were treated, and baiting, fruit stripping and collection was undertaken by PIRSA.

The response has now been successfully audited by representatives of the Japanese and New Zealand governments.

"No major issues were raised with our eradication procedures and this was reinforced by Commonwealth Department of Agriculture representatives," Mr Bignell said.

Queensland Fruit Fly has wrecked havoc in NSW and Vic but SA remains fruitfly free.

If members of the public detect maggots in fruit, they are urged to contact the fruitfly hotline immediately on 1300 666 010.