A fruit fly outbreak has been declared at Salisbury North

April 2024 Farmers say an outbreak of Queensland fruit fly in an Adelaide suburb could cause disruptions to the supply of fresh produce to the city and are raising questions about how the pest got there. According to the ABC, the outbreak was declared at Salisbury North, triggering a restricted produce movement zone in the foodbowl of the Northern Adelaide Plains where tomato, eggplant and capsicum are produced. Andrew Vorrasi, who has farms at Direk near the outbreak zone, will be unable to harvest the rest of his tomatoes this season unless he puts his produce through an expensive treatment process. The SA Produce Market director said he was concerned about how the restrictions would impact the supply of fruit and vegetables for consumers who were already struggling with the cost of living. "It has to be fumigated for it to be able to be used and that adds a cost," Mr Vorrasi said. "That cost has always been difficult [for growers] to pass on." The third-generation grower said he was willing to do that work if it helped to protect the state's food security into the future. "I'm happy to wear that short term pain because I think the long term gain here for SA is that we want to maintain this pest free status," Mr Vorassi said. SA Organics OrganicBox director Vanessa Comley grows fruit and vegetables on farms in the Adelaide Hills and the Riverland. She said her business had experienced financial and produce losses due to the detection of more than 50 outbreaks of Queensland fruit fly in the Riverland since late 2020. Ms Comley said she was concerned about what the pest could mean for farmers, and consumers in Adelaide. Peter Brooke grows vegetables at Barmera in the Riverland to sell at Adelaide markets, but has been unable to sell his cherries for two years due to fruit fly movement restrictions. He said the Adelaide outbreak could have been caused by fruit being moved from the Riverland and was worried awareness of the risk was low. Visitors and residents travelling to the region are greeted with signs and checking stations that dis- courage the possession of fresh fruit and vegetables. "There is one sign I think, but they're pretty hard to read when you go past at 110km," Mr Brooke said. "Every Saturday we drive to Adelaide and every Sunday we drive home with fruit and veggies". Α spokesperson from the state Department of Primary Industries and Regions said there were strategically placed signs on main highways in the region, as well as campaign posters in tourist facilities. They said the source of the fruit fly outbreak at Salisbury North was continuing to be investigated, while a response team had been stood up and was applying organic bait to gardens and checking fruit in the outbreak area. They said it was anticipated the response would continue for at least twelve weeks.

Greek Tribune Adelaide, South Australia

A fruit fly outbreak has been declared at

Salisbury North

April 2024 Farmers say an outbreak of Queensland fruit fly in an Adelaide suburb could cause disruptions to the supply of fresh produce to the city and are raising questions about how the pest got there. According to the ABC, the outbreak was declared at Salisbury North, triggering a restricted produce movement zone in the foodbowl of the Northern Adelaide Plains where tomato, eggplant and capsicum are produced. Andrew Vorrasi, who has farms at Direk near the outbreak zone, will be unable to harvest the rest of his tomatoes this season unless he puts his produce through an expensive treatment process. The SA Produce Market director said he was concerned about how the restrictions would impact the supply of fruit and vegetables for consumers who were already struggling with the cost of living. "It has to be fumigated for it to be able to be used and that adds a cost," Mr Vorrasi said. "That cost has always been difficult [for growers] to pass on." The third-generation grower said he was willing to do that work if it helped to protect the state's food security into the future. "I'm happy to wear that short term pain because I think the long term gain here for SA is that we want to maintain this pest free status," Mr Vorassi said. SA Organics OrganicBox director Vanessa Comley grows fruit and vegetables on farms in the Adelaide Hills and the Riverland. She said her business had experienced financial and produce losses due to the detection of more than 50 outbreaks of Queensland fruit fly in the Riverland since late 2020. Ms Comley said she was concerned about what the pest could mean for farmers, and consumers in Adelaide. Peter Brooke grows vegetables at Barmera in the Riverland to sell at Adelaide markets, but has been unable to sell his cherries for two years due to fruit fly movement restrictions. He said the Adelaide outbreak could have been caused by fruit being moved from the Riverland and was worried awareness of the risk was low. Visitors and residents travelling to the region are greeted with signs and checking stations that dis-courage the possession of fresh fruit and vegetables. "There is one sign I think, but they're pretty hard to read when you go past at 110km," Mr Brooke said. "Every Saturday we drive to Adelaide and every Sunday we drive home with fruit and veggies". Α spokesperson from the state Department of Primary Industries and Regions said there were strategically placed signs on main highways in the region, as well as campaign posters in tourist facilities. They said the source of the fruit fly outbreak at Salisbury North was continuing to be investigated, while a response team had been stood up and was applying organic bait to gardens and checking fruit in the outbreak area. They said it was anticipated the response would continue for at least twelve weeks.

Greek Tribune Adelaide, South Australia