Update: In a second update, Tasmania's Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment has clarified the ban only applies to fruit from Flinders Island and other islands in the Furneaux Group. This advice is based on previous information that only fruit fly larvae was found in Spreyton on the Tasmanian mainland. As an adult fruit fly has also been found in that control zone, it is possible that Taiwan's import ban will extend to that area. 

The department issued the following warning:

"Given the current fast moving situation with Queensland Fruit Fly and discussions with Biosecurity Tasmania and Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, it is recommended growers exercise caution in exporting to Taiwan, given the market may close with little warning."

With adult fruit flies having now been detected in two parts of Tasmania - in Spreyton in the northwest and on Flinders Island - the industry is starting to see the first effects on international trade.

In an update today (Jan. 31, Australia), Tasmania's Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment reported it had been informed by the Australian Federal Government that Taiwan had suspended imports of Tasmanian host fruit following the detection.

"Suspension of trade from a country that has specific market access requirements in place was an expected process to be implemented following a pest or disease detection," the department said in the update.

"The industry has been informed of the notification and the Department would now work closely with them and through the Australian Government to identify the requirements to re-commence movements to Taiwan or any other market that may suspend trade.

"Trade is continuing to other overseas markets as well as domestic markets that do not have biosecurity requirements in place for Queensland Fruit Fly."

Prior to today's announcement, adult fruit fly detections had only taken place on Flinders Island, but it has now been confirmed that surveillance operations around the fruit fly larvae site in Spreyton have detected an adult fruit fly in a trap.

The ban comes at a time when most of the season's cherry harvest has already been picked, packed and shipped, while the upcoming apple crop from the so-called "Apple Isle" tends to be more focused on mainland Australia than export

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