Fruit fly roadblocks ready to catch motorists

The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is sending a simple message to motorists travelling into the Fruit Fly Exclusion Zone (FFEZ) these school holidays: Leave fruit behind.

TriState Fruit Fly Co-ordinator Bernie Dominiak today said that motorists who ignore roadside signs advising them to eat or dispose of fruit face a minimum $200 on-the-spot-fine at random mobile roadside blocks.

“Motorists should plan ahead to either eat or dispose of fresh fruit before entering the exclusion zone,” Mr Dominiak said.

“This includes the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area, Murray Valley, Goulburn Valley, Sunraysia and the Riverland.

“People travelling from Queensland or the NSW north coast where fruit fly is endemic pose a high risk of bring fruit fly infested fruit into FFEZ.

“Fruit from these areas may look fine but fruit fly eggs or maggots are sometimes too small to be seen by naked eye.”

Mr Dominiak said travellers could unwittingly spread fruit fly into the valuable fruit production areas of NSW, Victoria and South Australia.

“All types of maturing or ripe fruit, such as stone fruit, citrus, loquats and quinces, as well as some vegetables including tomatoes, capsicum and avocados, are hosts of fruit fly,” he said.

“Any fresh fruit accidentally brought into the FFEZ should be immediately destroyed.

“This can be done by placing the fruit in a thick plastic bag, tying the top, and leaving in the sun for a few days before disposing with normal garbage.”

Media Contact: Brett Fifield 02 6391 311, 0427 029 511