People travelling at Easter time have been urged to take notice of the Fruit Fly Exclusion Zone, not only to help protect the fruit industry from Queensland fruit fly, but also to avoid a substantial fine.

"NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is warning travellers that it will be monitoring for the illegal introduction of fruit into the exclusion zone during the holiday period," NSW DPI Manager of Animal and Plant Regulatory Operations, Dr Andrew Sanger, said.

He said during the Christmas holiday period road blocks were held on 10 days, which resulted in 1388 travellers being stopped, with 79 infringement notices issued.

"The fruit growing industries within the NSW Fruit Fly Exclusion Zone are valued at $60 million, and represent the livelihoods of 1200 orchardists.

"Motorists who ignore roadside warning signs and are caught carrying fresh fruit face fines ranging from minimum $200 on the spot to a maximum of $11 000 for serious offences," Dr Sanger said.

Prominent display signs warn travellers when they are approaching the Fruit Fly Exclusion Zone, which encompasses fruit production areas in NSW, Victoria and South Australia.

Dr Sanger said travellers should be aware that they cannot take fresh fruit including tomatoes, capsicums, avocados, mangoes and chillies into the zone.

"Travellers play an important role in keeping fruit fly out of major fruit growing regions.

"Fruit fly outbreaks cost Australian fruit growers more than $100 million each year in lost income and eradication costs if an outbreak occurs.

"Just one piece of infested fruit brought into a horticultural area within the Fruit Fly Exclusion Zone can cause this hardship.

"Fruit flies can lay eggs in all types of maturing or ripe fruit. Tiny creamy-white maggots hatch from the eggs and burrow through the fruit as they feed. Infested fruit can look perfectly good on the outside but is mushy and brown on the inside," he said.

Dr Sanger said the majority of fruit fly outbreaks were associated with travellers bringing infested fruit into the Fruit Fly Exclusion Zone.

For further information on fruit fly please check the NSW DPI website www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/pests-weeds/pest-weeds-management/insect-pests/qff

Media contact: Sarah Chester (02) 6036 2110 or 0417 207 669