Queensland fruit fly buzzed out of WA

WA has been declared free of one of the world’s most destructive pests after a 15-month mission to eradicate Queensland fruit fly from areas around Dalkeith and Coolbellup. The status — announced by Agriculture Minister Alannah MacTiernan today — means the State’s $1 billion horticulture industries can maintain access to important export markets that demand freedom from the pest. WA stood to lose market access for certain products — such as strawberries to Thailand and avocados to Japan — that would have cost it $38 million a year if the fruit fly had become established.. The State Government spent more than $13.5m on the eradication effort, with more than 550 people working in and around Dalkeith and Coolbellup to carry out more than 173,000 property and baiting inspections. Trees in the areas were stripped, with the more than 35 tonnes of at-risk fruit collected and destroyed. More than 54.5 million sterile fruit fly were released across both areas to prevent potential breeding and eradicate any surviving pests after baiting. Ms MacTiernan said the successful eradication followed a mammoth effort by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. “The McGowan Government’s investment in a strong biosecurity system and incident response expertise is helping to protect our valuable primary industries,” she said. “The success of these recent campaigns saved the State’s horticulture industry and economy an estimated $38 million annually in lost production and market access.” The latest effort marks the ninth time the pest has been eradicated from WA since 1989. Monitoring traps will remain in place in both areas, as part of the State’s permanent early warning trapping grid.