EFFORTS to combat Queensland fruit fly in the region remain uncertain after the Victorian Government’s decision to terminate funding for managing the pest from June next year.
A spokesperson for Agriculture Victoria said the government had invested $14.28 million to provide community and regional grants under the Victorian Fruit Fly Strategy to empower industry and home gardeners to embed fruit fly management in their communities.
Fruit Fly Murray Valley has been responsible for this, housed within Mildura Council on behalf of horticultural industries and Swan Hill and Gannawarra councils.
“Regulations are no longer in place in the Greater Sunraysia region now that Queensland fruit fly is established,” the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said Agriculture Victoria was in the process of removing quarantine bins and signs.
“The Victorian Government will continue to support trade for the quality produce coming out of the region and maintain awareness of Queensland fruit fly management for all members of the community,” the spokesperson said.
The government said as the pest was now an established pest in Victoria, its management was now the responsibility of landowners and growers.
The program provided information to the community through 1077 workshops and events reaching 41,490 participants, supported by an extensive community education campaign to help people manage fruit fly on their own properties.
The government spokesperson said this funding was designed to instigate long-term change and support the transition of fruit fly management approaches.
“The Victorian Government continues to research new control methods, such as the use of parasitoid wasps and surveillance to detect incursions of other exotic fruit fly species to reduce the risk of establishment in Victoria,” the spokesperson said.
“Removal of the Greater Sunraysia Pest Free Area regulatory status was undertaken in consultation with industry stakeholders and the Commonwealth Government.”
