Minister for Primary Industries, Ian Macdonald, today said the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) had acted quickly following the detection of Queensland fruit fly larvae in commercial produce sent from Victoria to Leeton.

"Illegal movement of fruit into the NSW Fruit Fly Exclusion Zone threatens the whole industry which is worth tens of millions of dollars," Minister Macdonald said.

"In late February, 18 boxes of pears supplied by a grower at Kyabram were sold through the Melbourne Wholesale Markets to a Leeton supermarket.

"On 6 March, a quick witted member of the public reported one pear as infested by larvae and following investigation the larvae was identified as Queensland fruit fly.

"All pears from the 18 boxes were sold before the larvae were reported and scientifically identified.

"No certification was supplied to the retailer by the wholesalers. The retailer should also have ensured that this certification was made.

"All commercial fruit sent from the Victorian Fruit Fly Exclusion Zone should be free from fruit fly infestation -  this obviously was not the case.

"The NSW DPI has since reminded and made it very clear to the retailer that all host fruit from Melbourne Market is required to be accompanied by a Plant Health Certificate or equivalent. The matter is also under investigation by regulatory officers."

Minister Macdonald said Kyabram was currently free from fruit fly and inside the Victorian Fruit Fly Exclusion Zone so produce should not be infested.

"The Victorian Department of Primary Industries (DPI) has been asked to monitor the orchard in case a breeding population has escaped detection," he said.

"NSW DPI will continue to liaise with Victorian DPI to put remedial action in place with the producer, the wholesaler or the retail outlet, depending on results of further investigation. Other retail outlets will also be examined to ensure that there is full compliance with requirements."

"Queensland fly larvae have also been detected at two other locations within the NSW Fruit Fly Exclusion Zone. The first is at Barellan, which is east of Griffith, and the second is at Broken Hill.

"While these outbreaks are in the exclusion zone, they should not present problems to industry as they are not in fruit production areas.

"We are now eradicating both outbreaks.

"All three detections were by the public, and we congratulate them on their vigilance, and we also remind retailers that they must comply with the requirements when bringing fruit into exclusion zones."

Media contact: Jason Bartlett, 0438 209 281