AU: New QFF approach reducing red tape for growers
DPI’s Director of Plant Biosecurity and Product Integrity, Russell McMurray, said that while government would continue to regulate QFF host produce movement, businesses in those regions would only need to treat produce for QFF if infestations were actually present, instead of treatment being part of a protocol.
DPI has consolidated existing QFF outbreak areas into two new suspension zones: one spanning the Goulburn Valley and northern Victoria, the other in south-eastern Victoria. “Businesses will benefit from the removal of certification requirements for uninfested produce moving within these suspension zones, the Victorian and NSW Fruit Fly Exclusion Zone (FFEZ), and along eastern Australia,” Mr McMurray said.
Fruit fly host produce moving from these zones will need certification under DPI’s new self-certification procedure, ICA 47, or one of the existing protocols put in place by a destination market to maintain access.
Following feedback from industry, a new Greater Sunraysia PFA management group has been formed between government and industry in an effort to eradicate QFF from the region.
“We are pleased that as the major beneficiary from QFF control, industry has agreed to fund and jointly manage future QFF programs in the PFA, which will enable control efforts to continue in Greater Sunraysia,” Mr McMurray said.
The Greater Sunraysia Pest Free Area is considered a sensitive market and is the only region where QFF eradication efforts will continue due to the low number of flies detected and its strong export market focus.
“To protect market access and Victoria’s reputation as a supplier of high quality fresh produce, it’s essential to monitor and treat your crops and produce for QFF, as you would any other pest,” Mr McMurray said.
“Under Victorian legislation, it remains an offence to sell fruit fly infested produce.
“Heavy penalties apply to businesses found not complying with the protocols in place, including the return, treatment or destruction of produce at the owner’s cost.”
Travellers are also urged to do their part in keeping the Greater Sunraysia PFA free of QFF by not travelling into the area with fruit fly host produce, such as citrus, tomatoes, stonefruit.
For more information on QFF control in Victoria, visit www.dpi.vic.gov.au/qff
