The Australian Federal Government has committed new funding for the coordination of the National Fruit Fly Strategy (NFFS), designed to protect the country's AUD$8 billion (US$7.47 billion) horticulture industry.

In announcing the AUD$80,000 (US$74,721) in funding, Minister for Agriculture Barnaby Joyce welcomed the Plant Health Australia-backed initiative, saying enhanced national coordination was essential to managing the pest's significant effects.

"Fruit fly is a particularly damaging pest that has serious economic implications for Australia’s horticulture industry and the Coalition is absolutely committed to the National Fruit Fly Strategy," Joyce said.

"This funding commitment will enhance national policy and regulatory oversight of all domestic fruit fly issues, including identifying efficiencies in processes as well as targeting research and development."

"Protecting Australia’s reputation as a high-quality exporter of clean produce is essential to maintaining our value in the international marketplace and the returns the horticulture industry makes to the national economy."

The existence of fruit fly in many parts of Australia has often led to more burdensome fruit export protocols in key destination markets, even for growers in fruit fly-free regions.

The states of Tasmania and South Australia are fruit fly-free, and the latter's state government has recently led an ambitious program to breed sterile Queensland fruit flies. Other states also have specified fruit fly exclusion zones.

Photo: www.shutterstock.com

www.freshfruitportal.com