VICTORIAN drivers have been fined a total of $32,625 after they were caught trafficking fruit into SA during the October long-weekend.
One in five Victorian vehicles were inspected at a random Bordertown roadblock in the lead up to the Labour Day long weekend and they were found concealing fruit and will be fined $375 each.
Primary Industries and regional development minister, Tim Whetstone, said fruit fly was one of the greatest threats to SA horticulture and the issue will be policed heavily to stop visitors from bringing fruit across the boarders.
"A total of 145 drivers were caught bringing fruit and prohibited material into SA during the two-day roadblock at Bordertown on 3 and 4 October," Mr Whetstone said.
"There is absolutely no excuse for any drivers be found bringing fruit into SA," he said.
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Mr Whetstone said permanent and electronic signs were in place at Bordertown during that weekend warning motorists of the law.
"Fruit fly is a primary concern but we are also inspecting for risk of drivers introducing the devastating wine grape vine pest, phylloxera, which is found in Victoria but not in SA," he said.
"It only takes one piece of infested produce to cause widespread devastation to the Riverland horticulture industry and its communities."
Further random roadblocks will be held at Bordertown this season as well as key highways as far south as the Princes Highway.
"Following the recent detection of fruit fly larvae in passionfruit from an Adelaide Woolworths store we urge people to leave any passionfruit purchased in Adelaide during October at home," Mr Whetstone said.
