THE state government is urging people to leave their fruit at home this long weekend, as SA continues to battle fruit fly.
There are 10 Mediterranean fruit fly outbreaks and one Qld fruit fly outbreak in metropolitan Adelaide and three in the Riverland.
Primary Industries and Regional Development Minister David Basham said it was important travellers were aware of the restrictions on the movement of fruit.
"The March long weekend is a great time to get away and explore our regions, but it is crucial everyone plays their part in stopping the spread of fruit fly," he said.
"I am urging everyone, particularly those living in the outbreak areas, to do the right thing and leave their fruit at home this long weekend.
"Fruit flies do not travel far by themselves, which means outbreaks only spread when fruit is moved around by humans."
On Tuesday, another outbreak zone was declared in metropolitan Adelaide at Marleston.
Department of Primary Industries and Regions biosecurity executive director Nathan Rhodes said the outbreak meant restrictions would remain in place across metropolitan Adelaide until Saturday, December 4.
"These restrictions are an essential tactic, in combination with the work of our field teams, to protect SA's $1.3 billion horticulture industry at risk from fruit fly and the tens of thousands of jobs it represents," he said.
"By this stage of the year the fruit fly life cycle traditionally slows down significantly for the insect's 'over-wintering' period, and this presents us with an opportunity to make greater inroads with our eradication program.
"However it does also mean restrictions have to stay in place until at least early December."
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If there are no further wild flies or larvae detected it is anticipated the outbreak areas will remain in place:
- in metropolitan Adelaide for the Mediterranean fruit fly outbreak areas until December 4; and
- in Ridleyton for the Qfly outbreak area until May 14.
Without further detections, outbreak areas in the Riverland will remain in place at:
- Monash until March 22;
- Cooltong until May 19; and
- Renmark West until May 19.
Opposition primary industries spokesperson Clare Scriven said Mr Basham was "clearly out of his depth" on tackling the fruit fly crisis.
"A total of 310 suburbs across metropolitan Adelaide are now affected by fruit fly outbreaks, with a concerning new outbreak at Marleston this week," she said.
"SA is at risk of permanently losing its fruit fly-free status amid conflicting communication and a lack of leadership from the Minister."
But Mr Basham said the state government was throwing every available resource at the outbreaks and biosecurity officers would be targeting motorists carrying illegal fresh produce over the long weekend.
"This includes hundreds of Department of Primary Industries and Regions staff on the ground undertaking baiting and hygiene programs, assisting with the removal of backyard fruit and random roadblocks on our highways," he said.
For outbreak area maps and rules surrounding the movement of fruit visit www.fruitfly.sa.gov.au while people are asked to report suspect fruit to the 24-hour hotline 1300 666 010.
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