SOUTH Australians travelling to the Riverland during the Australia Day long weekend are asked to remain vigilant against the threat of fruit fly.
Agriculture, Food and Fisheries Minister Leon Bignell reminded travellers they would face hefty fines for carrying fruit or vegetables into the Riverland without an itemised receipt.
“SA remains the only Australian mainland state that’s fruit fly free, and it’s in everyone’s interest to ensure we stay free of this destructive fruit pest,” he said.
“Biosecurity SA – a division of Primary Industries and Regions SA – will operate random road blocks during the Australia Day weekend, so the message is clear: if you’re travelling into the Riverland, don’t take any fruit or fruiting vegetables into the region without an itemised receipt.
“Given the Christmas Day fruit fly outbreak in West Croydon, and the intense campaigns and operations Biosecurity SA has conducted in recent years, there’ll be no tolerance shown to anyone caught with prohibited fruit and veg at the road blocks.”
Minister Bignell said the state government invested about $5 million every year to help keep SA fruit fly free.
“We know fruit flies are more active from November to March, so staff from Biosecurity SA will continue to be vigilant in policing the movement of fruit and vegetables for the rest of summer,” he said.
“As well as random road blocks, there are quarantine stations, signs and disposal bins at key locations across the state - including road entry points, airports and rail terminals.”
If you find maggots in fruit or vegetables, or suspect fruit fly or other plant pests or diseases, immediately call the fruit fly hotline on 1300 666 010.
