Travellers reminded to remember fruit rules when travelling

In the last school holiday period, 831 fines were issues at the Yamba Quarantine Station and more than 1400 kilograms of illegal fruit seized.

A random roadblock at Blanchetown last weekend, the first of the 2019-20 season, resulted in 34 vehicles receiving fines and a non-compliance rate of under 8 per cent.

Primary Industries and Regional Development Minister Tim Whetstone reminded visitors to adhere to the state's strict quarantine rules when entering SA.

"With the weather getting warmer, the risk from fruit flies increases so it is vital that visitors do not bring prohibited fruit and vegetables into SA," he said.

"The state government has a zero-tolerance approach to bringing fresh produce into Yamba Quarantine Station and also at random roadblocks across the state.

"It only takes one piece of infested fruit carried into SA to cause widespread devastation to our horticulture industries and we have seen the impact a fruit fly outbreak can have at Loxton and Lindsay Point."

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Mr Whetstone said while it was encouraging to see the first random roadblock of the year deliver a lower non-compliance rate than the 2018-19 average, motorists continue to put SA at risk by flouting the law.

"A total of 452 vehicles were checked over two days at the Blanchetown quarantine roadblock, with 34 motorists fined and 35kg of fruit seized and disposed of," he said.

"The state government will do everything we can to protect our vital $1.2 billion horticulture industry and that's why we have increased random roadblocks held in the 2019-20 season to 20.

"There is ample notice of restrictions as you travel into the Riverland Fruit Fly Exclusion Zone including permanent and electronic signage, along with strategically placed disposal bins, so that you can dispose of any fresh produce.

"The message is loud and clear, if you are travelling into SA or the Riverland, leave fruit and vegetables at home or you will be fined."