FRUIT fly quarantine restrictions have been lifted in the Riverland today.
Primary Industries Minister Tim Whetstone praised the efforts of government, industry and community in successfully eradicating fruit fly from the Loxton area.
"It is important to acknowledge the efforts of all involved in the eradication process as battling a fruit fly outbreak requires considerable resources and effort from across the Riverland and beyond," he said.
"With the lifting of quarantine restrictions for Loxton, access to domestic markets will resume from the area without requiring expensive additional treatment.
"The international market access process takes longer, and we are working with the federal government to have export arrangements back in place as soon as possible.
"The Riverland produces some of the best fresh produce in the world and maintaining SA's fruit fly-free status is critical to providing our growers with market advantage."
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Mr Whetstone said the use of sterile insect technology and zero tolerance at roadside inspections played a key role in eliminating wild flies from the Loxton outbreak area.
"SIT has proven to be a valuable tool when fighting fruit flies, with 16 million sterile flies produced at the Port Augusta based facility released at the Loxton outbreak area," he said.
"My department had more than 50 staff on the ground during the response as part of baiting and hygiene activities with more than 35 tonnes of fruit collected.
"As an emergency response to this fruit fly outbreak, the state government also implemented a zero-tolerance approach at the Yamba Quarantine Station and random roadblocks and these measures will now continue to protect the Riverland from the further threat of fruit fly."
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