Australian horticulture at risk while Labor dawdles on fruit fly

Australian horticulture industries are at risk of devastation by fruit fly thanks to the Federal Government delaying implementation of the crucial National Fruit Fly Strategy.

Liberal Senator for South Australia Anne Ruston said ongoing delays in implementing the strategy were unforgiveable given the fruit fly situation in south-eastern Australia.

“Horticultural industries are literally under siege from fruit fly across Australia, but this government has inexplicably dawdled in its approach,” Senator Ruston said.

“The National Fruit Fly Strategy was developed in 2008 but very little has been done to implement it. The government has done little more than consolidating existing fruit fly data while measures which would make a real difference have essentially been ignored.

“The strategy should have been given a much higher priority following the many outbreaks of Queensland fruit fly (QFF) which occurred in New South Wales and Victoria.

“South Australia has miraculously remained free of QFF outbreaks, but the recent detection of QFF larvae at Victor Harbor and the declaration of Mediterranean fruit fly outbreaks in Adelaide demonstrate the pressure and heightened risk we face here too.

“A decisive national approach is needed to combat this pest.”