The successful Area Wide Management Program, which reduced Queensland Fruit Fly (Qfly) numbers significantly in the Goulburn Murray Valley, faces funding cuts from June 2025. State Member for Northern Victoria, Wendy Lovell, argues that without continued support, Qfly will surge, harming the GMV’s $1.6B horticultural industry. Experts predict a Qfly increase of 200-600 per cent if funding ceases. The industry requests $1M annually from the government to maintain the program.
“Fruit growers invest significantly in managing fruit fly risk on commercial orchards, but there will be a continued and growing threat of fruit flies migrating into orchards without a coordinated management program to monitor and contain fly outbreaks on public land and backyard fruit trees,” said Ms Lovell.
“The Minister for Agriculture must support the vitally important horticulture industry and commit to funding the Queensland fruit fly management program in Victoria beyond 2025.”
