Loxton North the newest fruit fly victim

NEW approaches to combat fruit fly will be put in place after a third local outbreak so far this year was declared today.

The state government announced a new outbreak of Queensland fruit fly at Loxton North, after the pest was detected in surveillance traps. 

Riverland Fruit Fly Committee chair Jason Size urged residents to follow measures to prevent the risk of further outbreaks.

“It’s having a massive effect on our local industries, and if we can’t get on top of it, we risk losing local jobs and there will be flow-on effects to our local economy,” Mr Size said.

“Please, help prevent fruit fly – keep orchards and gardens clean, and don’t leave fruit on the ground to rot.

“There are extensive measures in place to ensure growers can maintain market access by keeping the region fruit fly free.

“But this relies on us, as a community, to prevent opportunities for fruit flies to breed and spread.”

PIRSA's Fruit Fly Response General Manager Nick Secomb said a new eradication strategy would see sterile fruit flies deployed by plane – from next week – over the affected area.