AN elected Liberal-Nationals has pledged to “rescue” the community fruit fly program.
But, Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford said the Labor government “will not walk away” from Sunraysia growers, and the Greater Sunraysia Pest Free Area (GSPFA) program was already set to continue.
Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh and Member for Mildura Peter Crisp committed an “urgent $1 million lifeline” to the program in a meeting with fruit growers in Mildura last Thursday.
Mr Walsh said growers were “bitterly disappointed” the funding for the community fruit fly traps program had “seemingly lapsed”.
Mr Walsh said the latest frustration followed on from a “botched” grower poll earlier in the year which undermined the future of the GSPFA Industry Development Committee.
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