SUSTAINED efforts regarding fruit fly control across Australia are being put in place, with the National Fruit Fly Council securing Hort Innovation funding to coordinate management across the next five years.
The project is a joint initiative between Plant Health Australia and Hort Innovation, with investment from horticultural industries and state governments.
The NFFC - which consists of federal and state governments, industry representatives and research funders - will continue working with growers and fruit fly management community groups across the country to control the pest.
"Horticulture's contribution to Australia's Ag2030 goal of $100 billion in production by 2030 relies on pest management systems to support increased productivity, market access and diversification, and our reputation for high quality and sustainable produce," said PHA performance and innovation national manager Mila Bristow.
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The new project, which is Phase 4 of an overall project, will including managing the risk of exotic species to support a robust national system for trade and production, while also prioritising research and development activities to meet fruit fly management needs.
"Phase 4 will continue to build on a considerable body of work in recent years, which has increased national engagement and identified priorities to strengthen the national fruit fly system and Australia's trade position," said NFFC manager Stuart Burgess.
Phase 3 - from 2018 to 2021 - included key milestones such as the National Fruit Fly Strategy 2020-2025 and annual implementation plans, and delivery of the 2021 National Fruit Fly Symposium which brought together fruit fly stakeholders across Australia.
The key strength of NFFC during during Phase 3 was providing a neutral platform for stakeholders to collaborate to issues regarding fruit fly.
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