The iconic Queensland fruit fly signs we’ve all seen in our cross border travels have been removed from NSW following the final deregulation of the Greater Sunraysia Pest Free Area (GSPFA).
In 2006, the GSPFA was established to enhance market opportunities and help protect local horticultural industries from Queensland fruit fly, allowing free trade both internationally and domestically. Signs warning about movements of fresh fruit and vegetables into the area were erected and bins were placed at entry routes to allow travellers to dispose of fresh fruit and vegetables.
Sadly, the inevitable march of Queensland fruit fly resulted in the pest free status of the area being suspended in 2014. While fruit fly trap monitoring continued, extensive consultation with industry, state and federal governments lead to the NSW portion of the GSPFA ultimately being deregulated.
As one risk changes, another risk arises. A new trapping network has now been established around Dareton for early detection of Mediterranean fruit fly and monitoring for other fruit flies of concern to international trade.
