Fruit growers are being offered the opportunity to have their say on fruit fly management and control programs across the Greater Sunraysia Pest Free Area.
It’s the Greater Sunraysia Pest Free Area’s first step in developing future strategies for fruit fly control and regional co-ordinator Deidre Jaensch said it offers an important opportunity for growers to have input.
“We want to harness the insights and experiences of as many growers as possible to inform how we best do that, because getting it right on fruit fly is critical to the future of every grower,” Ms Jaensch said.
“Growers have 10 days to complete the survey and we are encouraging a rapid response with those who respond by August 20 going into a draw to win a $500 voucher from the local rural supplier of their choice.”
Ms Jaensch said if left unmanaged, fruit fly could potentially destroy multi-million-dollar horticultural industries on both sides of the Murray River, through crop losses and disruption to exports.
“Because fruit fly doesn’t recognise property boundaries successful management relies on a continued effort by everyone and it’s up to us as a community to work together,” she said.
“Fruit fly control is beyond what one person can do on their property – the only strategy that will succeed for us is an Area Wide Management approach, where everyone has a role to play.”
Ms Jaensch said the survey was being distributed by the GSPFA Industry Development Committee’s industry bodies in the stone fruit, citrus and table grape industries.
“But we welcome input from any grower who has thoughts and ideas to share,” she said.
“Anyone who doesn’t receive an email for the survey can contact us at the GSPFA office 5022 0327 and we will email them a survey link or survey form, or we can mail out forms to anyone who’d like a hard copy.
“The survey responses are confidential, but people have an opportunity to join our mailing list to receive information in future, and participate in the draw.”
The survey is now open, and a link can be found on the GSPFA home page: www.pestfreearea.com.au
Survey responses are now open, and close on August 20.
