By Romy Stephens
Strengthened efforts to keep the Yarra Valley free from the notorious Queensland Fruit Fly (QFF) have proven successful over the past five years.
Following the introduction of the State Government’s Managing Fruit Fly Action Plan in 2015, including a regional plan for the Yarra Valley, numerous interventions have been used to prevent the QFF’s spread locally.
Such interventions included the development of an area-wide surveillance grid for early detection, an educational unit for children, workshops for the public and emergency response assistance.
With the State Government recently announcing a further $1.72 million in funding for the final year of the plan, local fruit growers and QFF prevention coordinators have now turned their attention to what steps come next.
The Yarra Valley Fruit Fly regional coordinator, Bronwyn Koll, said it was vital that work towards keeping the Yarra Valley fruit fly free continued for years to come.
“I will be raising the profile of this invasive pest in the Yarra Valley. We want residents to firstly prevent it arriving here,” she said.
“We need residents to report anything suspicious, because we have proven that early detection and early response activities work in keeping the Yarra Valley fruit fly free. Being prepared is the best position we can be in.”
The QFF is a horticultural pest that lays its eggs in fruit and vegetables. The damaged produce rots inside while the eggs mature into larvae, making the product inedible and not suitable for selling.
The Yarra Valley is regarded as fruit fly free with only very few detections in the region. But considering it is an important horticultural growing area, extensive efforts have been made to make sure it remained in the clear.
The State Government has allocated over $178,000 to Agribusiness Yarra Valley for the final year of the QFF management plan.
Agriculture Minister Jaclyn Symes said industry and regional groups would be involved in reviewing the future strategic direction of fruit fly management in the state.
“Biosecurity is everyone’s responsibility, and it’s been fantastic to see the work of groups in Sunraysia, the Goulburn Murray Valley and the Yarra Valley step up to manage Queensland fruit fly,” Ms Symes said.
“We know everyone working together is the most effective way to reduce the impact of Queensland fruit fly on our local produce, home gardens and Victoria’s horticulture industry.”
Ms Koll said that despite the Yarra Valley having few detections, a constant understanding of the fruit fly’s position in the area was needed to ensure effective management into the future.
“The Yarra Valley QFF project team will continue the work with the fruit industry, and the Local, State and National governments to deliver on the ground activities for fruit fly control,” she said.
“This funding extension from the State Government is only good for one more year.
“As well as delivering our on the ground activities, we will also need to use the year to revisit how these essential activities are funded in future years.
“We will need to establish how to have contributions from everyone as we all benefit, directly and indirectly by keeping the Yarra Valley fruit fly free.”
For more information about QFF prevention efforts in the Yarra Valley, visit https://fruitflyfreeyv.com.au/.
