A LOCAL politician is calling on the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) to speed up its processes to control Riverland fruit-fly outbreaks as the crisis continues to create havoc for local growers.
Chaffey MP Tim Whetstone shared his opinions on the PIRSA biosecurity division’s handling of the outbreaks with Berri Barmera Council elected members during a deputation at council’s last monthly meeting.
“I think biosecurity is doing a pretty good job – we’ve never had the number of outbreaks we have now,” he said.
“What we’ve seen previously at Loxton and the way they combated fruit fly there with a natural lure, it’s all process driven.
“As a former food producer, I’m an outcome-driven person not process-driven, and that’s the thing that concerns me…
“If I had my commercial hat on I’d go in there the moment we had a detection and cover spray.
“By the time an outbreak is declared it is two weeks after the fruit is found.
“As soon as you find bugs or insects or disease, don’t wait two weeks to put a cover spray on it.
“I’ve met with the (Primary Industries) Minister and his department and the heads of biosecurity, so we’re looking at ways we can speed that process up.”
Mr Whetstone said PIRSA had taken a similar “process-driven” approach to eradicating a fruit fly outbreak in Loxton that was first detected in December 2018, while Mr Whetstone was Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development.
“They put baits out, they used organic bait and it took 12 months to get rid of it,” he said.
“When I became Minister I said enough was enough and we started cover spraying, implemented zero tolerance and had an audit on bins coming into the region, and we got rid of them.
“I’ve watched the behaviour of the departments and they are process-driven, not outcome-driven, so we’re not getting the results we need.
“Unless the Riverland does the work, no one else will do it – they’ll just keep kicking the can down the road.”
Berri Barmera councillor Margaret Evans objected to Mr Whetstone’s suggestion that local government should take a greater role in eradicating fruit fly and controlling risks such as abandoned orchards.
“People say fruit properties are private properties, but the department really should be responsible for ensuring that these growers keep their blocks clean,” she said.
“I don’t believe local government should have the responsibility to make sure these people look after their blocks.
“Surely there must be something the Government can do, like some legislation, to make sure these growers are being told