Random Fruit Fly Roadblocks Set to Continue
Monday 3 March 2008
Travellers driving into the Riverland in coming days could be subject to random roadblocks to ensure the outbreak of fruit fly in Daw Park does not affect the Riverland.
PIRSA Manager, Food and Plant Standards Geoff Raven, said while “the don’t travel with fruit and vegetables” message was getting through, the number of people travelling into the Riverland with fruit and fruiting vegetables and no proof of shop purchase is still concerning.
While protection of the Riverland fruit fly exclusion zone has traditionally been through stationary roadblocks setup on South Australian borders, PIRSA Plant Health Operations has adopted a strategy of operating a series of random roadblocks to assess travelling public compliance in an effort to ensure adequate protection for the Riverland.
The roadblocks will check vehicles for fruit and fruiting vegetables when entering the Riverland from other parts of South Australia.
Mr Raven said travellers carrying fruit and vegetables into the Riverland are putting the production area at risk.
“The current outbreak at Daw Park will cost several hundred thousand of taxpayers dollars to eradicate, and an outbreak in the Riverland, South Australia’s fruit bowl, would be devastating to those already affected by drought,” he said.
“It only takes one piece of infested fruit to cause an outbreak. The only way that fruit fly maggots can get into an area is for it to be brought in by someone travelling.
“I urge people if they are travelling to the Riverland not to travel with fruit and fruiting vegetables and to buy their produce once they get there.”
If fruit or fruiting vegetables are detected during the roadblock, the vehicle occupants will be questioned on its origin. Fruit and fruiting vegetables purchased from commercial retailers such as supermarkets and fruit and vegetable retailers are permitted entry provided there is a detailed sales docket/receipt or a Plant Health Certificate.
Homegrown fruit will not be permitted. Any fruit or fruiting vegetables without appropriate documentation will be confiscated. Prosecutions carry a maximum fine of $20,000.
