405 reasons to dump fruit before hitting the Riverland

A RIVERLAND MP believes a lack of awareness remains – both locally and in metropolitan Adelaide – regarding the “devastating” impacts fruit fly outbreaks are causing to the region.
The State Government last week revealed a total of 944 fines had been issued – and 1839 kilograms of fruit seized – in the past 23 random roadblocks seeking to prevent fruit fly host material from entering the Riverland.
Chaffey MP Tim Whetstone said attempting to eradicate fruit fly from the Riverland before winter ended needed to be a priority.
“It worries me that people continue to put the Riverland’s fruit fly free reputation further at risk,” Mr Whetstone said.
“We’re doing it tough enough as it is at the moment… and I don’t want to be getting to spring and further into summer, and going into harvest, then realising we still have the same fruit fly issues we had at the start of the year.
“We have to be vigilant and everyone has to play their role. I still think people need to consider stripping their trees and removing all host fruit.”
Mr Whetstone said increased monitoring was required to prevent travellers from Adelaide and other areas bringing potential fruit fly host material into the region.
“The numbers are telling us that people continue to not adhere to the rules,” he said.
“We’ve seen another one thousand fines issues… (so) there’s still a huge amount of fruit headed toward the Riverland.
“That’s the fruit that’s being picked up at random roadblocks, so what happens when there isn’t a random roadblock?”
Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development David Basham said further outbreaks across South Australia had increased pressure on the Riverland.
“With fruit fly outbreaks in metropolitan Adelaide, the Riverland and Port Augusta, it’s more important than ever not to move fruit and vegetables into and around South Australia,” Mr Basham said.
“If you’re in a red outbreak area in Adelaide, the Riverland or Port Augusta, you cannot move fruit out of that area – once purchased or picked, it must stay at home.
“Fruit fly can only travel when people carry fruit and vegetables around… so there is no excuse for doing the wrong thing as you travel into the Riverland Pest Free Area.
“You can’t miss the signage and strategically placed quarantine bins to dispose of any fresh produce before you enter the area.”
Mr Whetstone said it was a responsibility for locals to spread awareness of fruit fly risks.
“It’s up to Riverlanders to remind their family and friends, if they are visiting, to leave their fruit and vegetables at home,” he said.
“We’ve got to drum that message into people until we get a satisfactory outcome. I think Riverlanders could be more proactive.
“People have to understand it’s a short-term exercise for a long-term gain, and anyone who continues to continually disregard the rules will eventually pay the price.”
Mr Whetstone said it was necessary to increase the fine – to $405 – for being caught bringing fruit into the Riverland.
“I don’t want to have to use the stick approach, and that’s what we’re doing, (but) we need to have more education to make people aware,” he said.
“If we let this get out of hand, we’ll have all our backyard fruit trees removed.
“It will come at a great cost to our growers’ bottom line, and also a great cost to our reputation.”
Further information regarding current fruit fly outbreaks in the Riverland can be found by visiting the website (fruitfly.sa.gov.au).

RIVERLAND QUARANTINE ZONES IN PLACE UNTIL:

• Monash – December 20
• Pike River – December 11
• Berri – December 19
• Renmark West – December 20
• Cooltong – December 20