Regional communities across Victoria’s many horticultural regions will be better equipped to actively manage fruit flies thanks to a $6.7 million funding boost from the Andrews Labor Government.
Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford announced the funding today at an orchard in Ardmona to develop and deliver the Managing Fruit Fly – Regional Grants Program.
Fruit flies pose a significant threat to Victoria’s growing horticulture industry, disrupting production and trade worldwide. Species such as Queensland Fruit Fly (QFF) are present in Victoria and need effective management to reduce their impact.
Administered by Agriculture Victoria, the grants form a key part of the Labor Government’s Fruit Fly Action Plan.
It is anticipated fruit fly trap rollouts, urban tree removal programs, pest monitoring and school or sporting club engagement could all be supported through the program.
Ms Pulford also confirmed the appointment of Victoria’s first state-wide fruit fly coordinator Cathy Mansfield, who has worked in the industry for more than 20 years with a strong focus on pest management, and is based in the Heart of the Goulburn Valley at Tatura.
Regional communities will be able to actively manage fruit fly in their own local areas through the establishment of three new regional coordinator groups, supported by the state-wide coordinator.
Each group will be led by key horticulture industry experts and will work closely with community groups, organisations and institutions to improve fruit fly management in commercial orchards while improving international market access and trade opportunities.
Victoria’s horticultural industry has a farm gate value of around $2.4 billion and accounts for
52 per cent of Australia’s horticultural exports. International trade of horticulture products from Victoria was valued at $909 million in 2014–15.
Applications for the Regional Grants Program will soon be available at agriculture.vic.gov.au/qff and the Fruit Fly in Victoria Action Plan is available to download .
Quotes attributable to Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford
“Everyone living in or travelling through a fruit and vegetable growing region can help manage fruit fly – the horticulture industry, local communities and all levels of government must work together.”
“We need growers across Victoria to keep capitalising on natural advantages, including monitoring, trapping and treating fruit fly in order to meet those important market expectations.”
“The Andrews Labor Government knows the importance of protecting and investing in our horticulture sector that has a proud reputation of producing clean, safe and affordable food on the world stage.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020