THE Goulburn Murray Valley Fruit Fly Coordinator Ross Abberfield has cited fruit fly is the world’s worst fruit pest and believes it can impact the supply of fresh fruit and vegetables in Australia if not managed effectively.
“Food security is a national policy priority of the Australian Government and the GMV supplies Australia with 81 per cent of its pears, 76 per cent of its peaches and nectarines, 66 per cent of its Kiwi Fruit, 56 per cent of its apricots, 51 per cent of its plums, 50 per cent of its pomegranates, 46 per cent of its apples and the bulk of its tomatoes. The GMV is the horticultural engine-room of Victoria and risk’s being unable to supply Australians with Australian produce if fruit fly is not managed effectively. Victoria’s food security is not simply about supporting growers, it’s about engaging and educating private and public landowners to take responsibility for managing fruit fly breeding habitat on the land that they own. Fruit and vegetable growers effectively manage fruit fly on their properties, but they have no control over unmanaged fruit trees in back yards, along roadsides, channels, railway lines, reserves, parks, and water catchment areas. Unmanaged breeding habitat in these areas can severely impact commercial fruit and vegetable growers as well as the quality and reputation of our horticultural produce. Safeguarding our food supply should be the highest priority of State and Federal governments. Proactive management can protect our lifestyle, regional economies, jobs, and fruit export markets. Effective Area Wide Management of fruit fly will ensure that future generations can continue to enjoy the benefits of living in one of Australia’s great horticultural regions. As a community, we all have a role to play when it comes to managing fruit fly.”
President of the Cobram and District Fruit Growers Association, Adrian Conti said:
“Since reductions in fruit fly funding, the GMV program has moved from a high-input model to a lower-input approach. Independent analysis has identified increasing fruit fly populations and a reduced ability to maintain suppression across the region. In 2024 alone, fruit fly numbers increased by approximately 90 per cent, while modelling suggests populations could increase by more than 600 per cent if effective management is not maintained. Queensland Fruit Fly remains one of the most significant threats facing our region. Recent independent expert analysis identified the Goulburn Murray Valley as one of Australia’s most vulnerable fruit fly regions, largely because of our unique mix of commercial orchards, residential areas, and unmanaged fruit trees on private and public land. Unlike many other growing regions, our communities and horticultural production exist side by side. The Victorian government cannot continue to step away from its responsibility to manage fruit fly. If fruit fly gets out of control, Victorian commercial horticulture production will be impacted. Taxpayers will have to pay more for imported fruit and vegetables that risk introducing new exotic fruit pest species into Australia. The priority of the Victorian government should be the protection of horticulture in the GMV, which is a major contributor to our national food security.”
