ADDITIONAL measures on the treatment of commercial fruit and vegetables imported into SA from Vic will be undertaken in the ongoing fight against fruit fly.
The strict measures have come into force as two new Mediterranean fruit fly outbreaks have been declared at Port Augusta and Warradale, after the discovery of maggots in backyard fruit.
Vic fumigators will have to undertake detailed inspections of fruit before fumigating and shipping, update packaging requirements and implement enhanced traceability as part of new requirements imposed following a spate of Queensland fruit fly larvae found in local supermarkets earlier this year.
The two new outbreaks are not believed to be related to imported fruit or vegetables from Vic.
Primary Industries Minister David Basham said the new arrangements were now in place to protect the state's $1.3-billion horticulture industry at risk from fruit fly and the thousands of jobs it supports.
"In response to the detection of live fruit fly larvae in fumigated fruit imported into SA earlier this year, the state government has required the Vic government to strengthen the current fumigation requirements for fresh produce destined for SA," he said.
"The movement of fresh produce from Vic fumigator FreshMax to SA was immediately halted and following extensive auditing of their processes, stronger control measures have been put in place, enabling the business to trade again."
The new arrangements mean fumigators and importers will need to meet certain extra requirements including:
- pre-inspecting high-risk host fruits for the presence of fruit fly before fumigation
- numbering fumigation chambers individually
- fumigating high risk produce separately from low risk produce to enhance traceability (assists with isolating any issues should they occur)
- adding heating and fans to fumigation chambers
- adding enhanced pulp-temperature testing methodology
- updating package permeability requirements
- adding clear instructions on what to do in the event of a detection
A new fruit fly eradication response is immediately underway with baiting and ground treatment at the new outbreak sites in Port Augusta and Warradale, with a 1.5-kilometre red outbreak area and 7.5km yellow suspension area established.
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In Port Augusta, the red outbreak area takes in the township of Port Augusta.
In Warradale, the red outbreak areas include Brighton, Dover Gardens, Hove, Marion, North Brighton, Oaklands Park, Seacombe Gardens, Seacombe Heights, Somerton Park, South Brighton, Sturt and Warradale.
Mr Basham said the two new outbreaks were a reminder for the public to follow the restrictions in place when it comes to the movement of fruit and vegetables.
"Residents are urged to check www.fruitfly.sa.gov.au to see if they are within the red outbreak area or yellow suspension zone where fruit movement restrictions apply," he said.
"People in the outbreak areas are urged to check home-grown fruit for fruit fly larvae and report anything unusual to the Fruit Fly Hotline on 1300 666 010.
"Residents should also clean up over-ripe or fallen fruit and place in your kerbside green bin (do not compost or bury)."
Subject to no further detections, restrictions will be in place until at least November 18, 2021, in Port Augusta and until at least December 20, 2021, in Warradale.
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