There’s more calls for Riverland commercial fruit growers to register for the free self-baiting fruit fly program.
Under the program, approved growers will be given free fruit fly bait and lures to use, with guidelines on use distributed by PIRSA
Incident Controller of the Fruit Fly Emergency Response, Jason Size, said that self-baiting is effective at reducing Queensland fruit fly populations on properties where trees form shelter belts or tree lines.
Importunely for growers, Mr Size also explained that participating in the program doesn’t remove market access requirements.
“Please remember that if you’re planning on moving restricted fruit and vegetables, self-baiting isn’t the same as a treatment application and you still will need to meet your market access requirements,”
“For example if you are a commercial stone fruit grower in one of the affected areas, certification is required before any produce can be sold, and for those within red outbreak areas, certification is also required before any produce can be moved.” Said Mr Size.
A total of 53 outbreaks remain in the Riverland, with 27 not having a detection in the past 12 weeks
More on the self-baiting program can be found via www.fruitfly.sa.gov.au/self-baiting or the Fruit Fly Industry Hotline on 1800 255 556.