The Hodgman Liberal Government is confident that Tasmania is on track to be declared free of fruit fly in time for the peak summer fruit harvest period.
All indications are that through Biosecurity Tasmania’s extensive eradication program we will ultimately be successful in killing off the fruit fly.
Based on the National Fruit Fly Management Protocol, we are working with the Commonwealth Government for the 9th of January 2019 as the target date for likely reinstatement of our Pest Free Area (PFA) status.
However, a number of factors will come in to play to determine this, including finding no further fruit flies in spring and importantly our trading partners accepting that Queensland Fruit Fly is no longer present in Tasmania.
We are also supporting affected fruit growers to prepare their businesses for the coming season, until our PFA status is officially reinstated and control zones can be lifted.
The Government will provide transitional assistance to affected growers in the control zones until reinstatement in the critical areas of packaging, fumigation treatment and associated transport and labour costs.
It is estimated that this will bring the total direct assistance provided to fruit growers to $3 million by January.
We will partner with Fruit Growers Tasmania on a new $500,000 Horticulture Biosecurity Communication and Education Program to support fruit growers with pest and disease awareness and broader community communication and education programs.
In addition, a $550,000 horticulture market and trade development initiative will support fruit and vegetable growers to capitalise on our Pest Free Area status.
The Department is updating biosecurity communications with renewed border and regional signage, greater social media presence, complementary school education strategies and other initiatives.
Last weekend six new Biosecurity Tasmania jobs were advertised in the north, including more inspectors, a fruit fly expert and industry collaboration and planning roles, to ensure the state continues to respond to the challenges of increased trade and a growing economy.
What we saw last year was the increasing risks to Tasmania from fruit fly spreading on mainland Australia.
Our biosecurity system responded well in working with growers and the Tasmanian community to conduct Tasmania largest single biosecurity response.
Looking ahead, Government is working with industry to ensure our biosecurity system remains well placed to respond to any potential future pest incursions.
We will conduct an independent review into the Fruit Fly Response once our Pest Free Area status has been reinstated.
Other priority initiatives include:
I again sincerely thank all Tasmanians for their continued vigilance and support with tackling the fruit fly.
Further information about fruit fly and the latest information can be found at Biosecurity Tasmania 6165 3774 or www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au
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