But now the Horticulture Coalition of SA says it is “on the same page” as the State Government as it tackles an unprecedented series of outbreaks.It is calling for an extension of the government’s strict “zero-tolerance” approach to fruit fly – which involves searching cars entering the state – into the west in a bid to protect SA’s $1.3bn industry.It comes in the wake of a week of criticism aimed at the government for its ban on children in outbreak zones bringing fresh fruit to school in their lunch boxes.Horticulture industry groups met government officials Friday afternoon, amid a backdrop of concern about falling fresh-fruit sales this week. Ahead of the meeting, the coalition’s chair, Angelo Demasi, had told The Advertiser that school lunch boxes should not be a key focus area for fruit-fly eradication, and that the state must instead prioritise checks on the entry of fruit into SA. But last night, Mr Demasi said the industry was working proactively with the government and “we’re all on the same page”.And he said the zero-tolerance approach should be extended to Ceduna – a measure the government is looking into. He also wanted a strengthened audit system at distribution centres and packing houses to reduce the chances of fruit fly making it into our state.There are now nine outbreaks in Adelaide and three in the Riverland – in Renmark West and Monash.During fruit fly outbreaks, the government defines “outbreak areas” and “suspension areas”, where fruit movement is limited. Those in outbreak areas – close to the fruit fly’s discovery – must not move fruit away from their properties. People in wider suspension areas should move fruit only within that zone. Suspension areas now affect almost 300 Adelaide suburbs.Riverland growers usually enjoy trade benefits from the region’s fruit-fly-free status, but that has been temporarily suspended for the Renmark West and Monash outbreak areas. It means producers must treat any ripe fruit through measures such as fumigation before moving it out of the area. “There’s been an increase in traffic to our regions with people not being able to travel overseas, and we certainly need to up the ante with ensuring that people do not bring fruit into our regions,” Mr Demasi said. He was confident the state’s large number of outbreaks – described by Primary Industries Minister David Basham as “unprecedented” – would be brought under control.Stonefruit, apple and pear growers are among those most affected by the outbreaks and restrictions on fruit movement, because Riverland producers are in the middle of harvesting them. Summerfruits SA represents stonefruit growers and its chairman Jason Size said he was pleased with the state’s biosecurity response. “All the indications we’re getting is we’re not finding any more larvae,” Mr Size said. He believed the La Nina effect was leading to increased fruit fly breeding interstate, which was a major threat to our ability to keep the pest at bay. “We’ve got increased pressure hammering us from the border,” he said. Apple & Pear Growers Association of SA chief executive Susie Green this week said stores had reduced their orders from some producers over the lunch box fruit ban, which was “really troubling”. “We (also) don’t want to see people’s eating habits change,” she said.After Friday’s meeting, the government and horticulture industry released a statement saying they had agreed to an all-out effort to stop more fruit-fly detections. “This is an unprecedented situation, and while South Australia has a 100 per cent record when it comes to eradicating fruit-fly outbreaks, we need the public’s help to minimise the movement of fruit,” Mr Basham said. “The rules are clear – fruit cannot be taken off properties inside fruit fly outbreak areas. “This includes both fruit purchased from retail and homegrown backyard fruit.”PIRSA staff have been out in outbreak areas, baiting fruit flies and releasing sterile insects as part of a $17m effort to eradicate the pest. “The State Government will continue to throw all available resources at eradicating these outbreaks,” Mr Basham said.“South Australia’s fruit-fly-free status gives our food producers market advantages around the world and this eradication effort is about supporting our $1.3bn horticulture industry and the 37,500 people it employs.“In the meantime, I encourage all South Australians to continue to buy locally produced fruit and vegetables – but please consume these at home.”Fruit fly like COVID-19



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