AU: Fruit fly sterilisation program one step closer with levy reintroduction
The Medfly pilot project would see a move from simply monitoring the pest, to attempting to eradicate it altogether.
Local council recently voted to recommence collection of a 'fruit fly levy' from local growers, to fund ongoing baiting initiatives. The baiting, which is the first step in the project, would then be followed by the planned release of millions of sterile male fruit flies.
Carnarvon Shire previously collected a levy for fruit fly baiting, but it was suspended last July after grower complaints.
However, Shire President Karl Brandenburg says with a more comprehensive Medfly program now planned, he expects growers will be willing to pay again.
"Basically the program has now changed, before it was a monitoring program, but there was no real serious attempt at eradicating them altogether," he said.
"But now the good people of Carnarvon, and the growers especially, have lobbied the government hard and I believe they've been given a grant of $4 million over four years. It's not just for a baiting program, but a fruit fly sterilisation program that has been trialled before and been very successful. With that sort of emphasis behind it and the state government kicking in to do something about the biosecurity of this region, I think a lot of growers would understand and back it."
Previously the levy was based on a rate of 0.264 cents in the dollar and Mr Brandenburg says around $300 000 was collected annually.
With the use of pesticides, such as fenthion, being restricted, it's hoped that this area-wide management technique will help to boost horticultural production, as well as secure market opportunities.
Source: abc.net.au