The Nationals’ Member for Shepparton District, Kim O’Keeffe, has called on the Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence, in Parliament, to reinstate the funding for the Queensland fruit fly eradication program.
The announcement that this funding will end in June next year has raised grave concerns in the agriculture and horticulture industries. the growing threat of fruit fly
Ms O’Keeffe emphasised the significant success of the GMV Fruit Fly Program, which has reduced fruit fly populations by 60 per cent across the Goulburn-Murray Valley region.
In 2021 the GMV fruit fly program won a community award at the Australian Biosecurity Awards. The award, presented by the Australian Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, recognised the important contribution the program is making to the quality of Australian horticulture and national biosecurity.
“The Goulburn Valley is known as the fruit bowl of Australia, and the management of the infestation of fruit fly is critical. Local growers are astonished and extremely concerned that the consequences of not controlling fruit fly put their livelihoods and industries at significant risk,” Ms O’Keeffe said.
Industry leaders and growers in the region have also warned that without continued support, fruit fly numbers—already increasing by 100 per cent due to recent decreased funding—could spread from unmanaged public lands and residential backyards into commercial crops.
Cobram and District Fruit Growers Association president Adrian Conti said a single fruit fly detection in export shipments could impact the horticultural industry and both domestic and international trade.
The GMV Fruit Fly Program, which started in 2013, has successfully identified fruit fly hotspots and implemented control measures that significantly curbed the pest’s spread.
“Many growers fear that ending this funding will undo all these achievements and put the Goulburn Valley’s agriculture at risk,” Ms O’Keeffe said.
“The minister needs to understand the devastating consequences of not continuing to support this program. I urge the minister to reinstate this important funding.
“It’s clear that Labor can’t manage money, can’t manage projects and regional Victorians are paying the price.”