A NATIONAL approach to combating fruit fly is on its way with the 2020-25 National Fruit Fly Strategy launched earlier this week at a meeting of the National Fruit Fly Council.
NFCC chair Lloyd Klumpp said the strategy provided a framework for governments, industry and research funders to advance fruit fly management in Australia.
"It is a blueprint for national cooperation as we seek to both manage our existing pest fruit fly species, Queensland fruit fly and Mediterranean fruit fly, and prevent exotic species like Oriental fruit fly establishing in Australia," he said.
The actions required to meet these needs have been captured under eight different priority areas made up of market access; management of established fruit fly; prevention, preparedness and response; research; surveillance; diagnostics; communication and engagement; and cooperation.
NFCC member and Nutrano Produce Group technical manager Steve Burdette said a focus of the strategy was to maintain and advance access to domestic and international markets for fruit fly affected industries.
"We have to work together to tackle fruit fly," he said.
"They are a key barrier to market access for our fruit fly affected industries, which make up about half of Australia's $13 billion horticulture sector."
Plant Health Australia chief executive officer Sarah Corcoran said the new strategy builds on a draft version released by PHA in 2008 and was the result of a collaborative effort by Australia's horticultural industries, state governments, the Australian Government, Hort Innovation and various research institutions.
"PHA brought together the contributions of these organisations into a unified national strategy which can meet the needs of the diverse industries and regions impacted by fruit fly," she said.
The NFFC, which was formed in 2015 to bring together industry and government, will oversee the implementation of the 2020-25 National Fruit Fly Strategy and develop annual implementation plans to identify and monitor key activities under the strategy.
"While it is the Council which will oversee the implementation of the strategy, our real strength lies in the contribution that every individual and every organisation makes to combating fruit fly," Dr Klumpp said.
"Effective management of fruit flies relies on cooperation at all levels of government, and between industry bodies, research institutions, regional groups, growers, and community and home gardeners."
He said the strategic framework should be part of everyone's planning.
- Details: Download the strategy and 2020-21 implementation plan at preventfruitfly.com.au/nffs
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