If left unmanaged the effects of QFF can be devastating. An outbreak has the potential to damage our fruit and vegetable markets and is considered a major risk to Victoria’s multi-billion dollar horticulture industry.
We all have a role to play in the control of QFF, with community awareness and increased knowledge about integrated management measures imperative in protecting the region.
The GMV has strengthened fruit fly management through area wide coordination and collaboration of industry, government and the community. The appointment of the GMV Queensland Fruit Fly Regional Coordinator in May 2017 was critical in implementing the management and coordination of the QFF Action Plan in the GMV region.
A two year monitoring program began in June 2017 and saw fruit fly traps positioned in selected locations in Cobram, Shepparton, Mooroopna, Tatura and Kyabram. The monitoring program is funded under the Victorian Government’s Managing Fruit Fly Regional Grants Program and provides valuable data about QFF populations. In peak seasons the traps are checked on a weekly basis and provide valuable monitoring data that enables the identification of QFF hotspots. This program importantly allows for greater understanding of fruit fly activity across the region and ensures that control measures and management strategies are considered in conjunction with key monitoring data.
The community should Pick, Prune, Protect to do their bit to combat the spread of this pest. The Pick, Prune, Protect message reminds people to pick ripe fruit and collect fallen fruit, keep trees pruned to a manageable height and take measures to protect fruit through the use of netting, traps and baiting or cover spray.
Other prevention and control measures include the free Urban Tree Removal Program available in the Shires of Campaspe, Greater Shepparton, Moira and Strathbogie during July, August and September and October. This program was extended until the end of November in 2017 due to increased demand.
The Rogue Tree Register allows members of the public to report fruit trees on public land and roadsides and assists authorities to identify and remove breeding grounds for QFF. The register is available in the Shires of Campaspe, Greater Shepparton, Moira and Strathbogie. You can ask your local Council for advice on how to report rogue trees that you are aware of.
The Managing Fruit Fly Regional Grants Program supports community action to better manage fruit fly through regional coordination, on ground control programs and local community engagement programs. The program allows for the continued enhancement of fruit fly management across the region.