THE National Fruit Fly Council (NFFC) has secured funding from Hort Innovation for phase four of the project that will co-ordinate fruit fly management in Australia over the next five years to 2026.
Fruit fly is one of the biggest trade barriers for horticulture products and many species of fruit fly pose a threat to Australia’s horticultural industries, both endemic and exotic.
In 2016, the cost of fruit fly in Australia was estimated to be $300 million due to control measures and international trade restrictions.
The project is a joint initiative between Plant Health Australia (PHA) and Hort Innovation, with co-investment from state governments and horticultural industries.
The council will continue to work with growers and fruit fly management community groups across all states and territories to control the pest on a national scale.
As a strategic advisory body, the NFFC brings fruit fly affected stakeholders and subject matter experts together to formulate strategies and recommendations to strengthen the national fruit fly system.
“There is real value in having industry and government stakeholders in one room to address fruit fly issues at a national level,” said Byron De Kock, head of research and development at Hort Innovation.
The NFFC consists of federal and state governments, industry representatives, and research funders who collectively consider solutions to fruit fly challenges that will lead to a cost-effective and sustainable approach to managing fruit flies, and exotic fruit fly risks, across Australia.
The new project will provide a national strategic direction to manage fruit fly in Australia, including managing the risk of exotic species to support a robust national system for trade and production.
It will prioritise research and development activities to meet fruit fly management needs.
The project will also facilitate communication and co-operation between governments, industries, researchers, and communities to progress strategically important national fruit fly issues.
