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Fruit Fly inspection of disembarking passengers bags at Port Adelaide, February 1960.

In 1949, inspections began at the Port Adelaide Inspection and Fumigation Depot; and the few commercial imports of fruit were all inspected.  In later years, inspection of commercial horticultural imports is obviated by an International Health Certificate under the Commonwealth Quarantine Act.  Garbage waste from all ships is incinerated at a Marine and Harbours facility.

Passengers on ships were also required to give up fruit in their possession.  On the occasion when a passenger ship arrives at Outer Harbour, customs screen passengers for fruit and supply a disposal bin.  In the past, mail ships made regular visits, inspections of passengers revealed very little fruit.

Fruit fly publicity within South Australia is aimed at raising the awareness of South Australian residents of the impact of fruit flies on their lifestyle and to encourage them to report occurrences of larvae in fruit.  It is also aimed at warning visitors and returning residents not to bring fruit into South Australia.

(Source: Sarah Harrison)