New program to combat Queensland fruit fly outbreak

• Cook Government committed to maintaining strong biosecurity systems
• New fruit tree tag program to support Queensland fruit fly eradication efforts
• Good garden hygiene helping to prevent pests and diseases

The Cook Government is ramping up efforts to protect the State's $1.49 billion horticulture industry by providing free tree care tags to nurseries for citrus, stone and pome fruit trees. The tags will help combat the serious plant pest Queensland fruit fly (Qfly) and promote good home garden hygiene.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has developed the tags, already successfully used in South Australia, and is working with the Nursery and Garden Industry of Western Australia to distribute them to nurseries across the Perth metropolitan area and in the regions.

The free tags will be attached to citrus, stone and pome fruit trees prior to sale and contain advice for customers on how to best manage fruit trees to help prevent the spread of Qfly.

DPIRD is currently responding to an outbreak of Qfly in parts of Bayswater where strict quarantine requirements are in place.

This includes picking ripe or ripening fruit at least every three days so that fruit doesn't fall on the ground and ensuring that residents either eat or treat their fruit before bagging it up for disposal in the general waste bin.

A Quarantine Area is in place and more than 180 officers are working on the response to contain and eradicate the serious plant pest. Over 28,000 property inspections have been carried out since March this year.

Qfly has been successfully eradicated eight times in the metropolitan areain the past 40 years, most recently in the western and southern suburbs in 2020 and 2021.

Residents and businesses are asked to continue to support response efforts by checking fruit for small holes and report any signs of Qfly via the MyPestGuide reporter app or to the Pest and Disease Information Service on (08) 9368 3080 or email padis@dpird.wa.gov.au

For more information on the Qfly visit agric.wa.gov.au/qflyupdates

Comments attributed to Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis:

"Maintaining freedom from major animal and plant pests and diseases is vital to ensure we continue to have access to high value export markets across the world.

"Qfly is one of the biggest threats to WA's horticultural industries and backyard fruit trees.

"The tree tag program is a great initiative to build more awareness in the community about the importance of maintaining good garden hygiene to stop new pests and diseases like Qfly from establishing in WA.

"By continuing to follow the quarantine rules and managing fruit trees well, we can all play our part and keep enjoying our home-grown fruit and vegetables."