Release of the draft National Fruit Fly Strategy was supported by the state, territory and federal governments at the Primary Industries Ministerial Council in Adelaide earlier this month.

Under the draft strategy, Australia’s horticulture industries will work more closely with federal and state governments to control fruit fly.

Fruit fly is a major cost to Australia’s $6.9 billion horticultural industries and can affect both domestic and international trade.

“The Rudd Government recognises the significant damage caused to productive farming businesses by fruit fly and other pests,” Mr Burke said.

“This draft strategy would see us focus our efforts to better manage fruit fly in a coordinated way across Australia.

“By working together with state governments and industry, we can better protect productivity and help to protect valuable international export markets.

“I would urge the horticulture industry and other interested community members to have their say on the draft strategy.”

The initial Rudd Government funding of $1 million is part of a total election commitment of $5.4 million to develop and implement a national strategy for fruit fly, boost efforts to identify fruit fly and increase capacity for on-farm biosecurity planning.

This funding is part of the cooperative approach to controlling fruit fly in Australia and the Federal Government will be seeking cThe Federal Government’s $1 million will fund the collection and analysis of fruit fly information held by states and territories, industry and research organisations to develop a management tool kit, a national diagnostic standard and pest data sheets.

The draft strategy has been developed in consultation with key representatives of affected industries and was a collaboration between Australia’s horticultural industries, state and territory governments, the Australian Government and research and development organisations facilitated by Plant Health Australia.

* For a copy of the draft strategy call Plant Health Australia on (02) 6260-4322 or go to www.phau.com.au