THE state government is warning people visiting the Riverland this Easter to leave all fresh produce at home or risk being fined.
Biosecurity teams have been put on alert to crack down on people doing the wrong thing and putting the Riverland's fruit fly-free status at further risk.
Primary Industries and Regional Development Minister David Basham said the last thing the Riverland community wants is a bowl of infested fruit next to their chocolate eggs.
"We are at a critical stage of eradicating Queensland fruit fly in SA and we need the public to leave all fresh produce at home when travelling to the Riverland and entering the state," Mr Basham said.
"People traditionally flock to our regions over the Easter long weekend and we welcome that influx of visitors, but we remind everyone to do the right thing and not put our horticultural industry at risk.
"These fruit fly outbreaks are costing our growers, communities and taxpayers, at a time when they can least afford it."
Related reading: Regional visitor numbers to lift throughout April
Mr Basham says there is zero tolerance on bringing fruit fly host material into the Yamba Quarantine Station and at random roadblocks.
"South Australians have been hugely cooperative as we continue to battle fruit fly across the state to protect our $1.3 billion horticulture industry vulnerable to the pest and the tens of thousands of jobs it supports," he said.
Producers impacted by fruit fly outbreaks are also being offered extra support, with five Family and Business Support mentors having their roles extended to assist.
"(We are) throwing every available resource at battling these fruit fly outbreaks at a cost of almost $20 million, but it's also important we provide support at a personal level to those affected growers," Mr Basham said.
"We know our growers need more than just technical advice when adverse events impact - that is why we have extended the FaBs program to primary producers affected by the fruit fly outbreaks.
"FaB mentors work closely with other service providers such as Rural Financial Counselling and local health networks, and can connect people to those services as needed."
- Details: Visit fruitfly.sa.gov.au or call the 24-hour hotline on 1300 666 010. FaBs can be accessed by visiting the website or calling the PIRSA Recovery Hotline on 1800 931 314.
Start the day with all the big news in agriculture. Sign up here to receive our daily Stock Journal newsletter.
