PIRSA is urging Gather Round travellers to follow quarantine rules or risk paying fines

An alarming amount of Victorians have been caught trying to smuggle fruit across the border into SA ahead of Gather Round, with inspectors filling up several bags full of confiscated fruit.

Biosecurity inspection officers are searching cars at the border. Picture: Arj Ganesan

An alarming amount of Victorians have been caught trying to smuggle fruit across the border into SA, with inspectors filling up several bags full of confiscated contraband.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) announced it was cracking down on fruit fly outbreaks with the threat of fines for those who breach quarantine rules during this week’s AFL Gather Round.

Fruit and vegetable quarantine stations will operate extended hours and higher staffing numbers to ensure Gather Round travellers comply with the state’s produce quarantine laws.

“Random roadblocks and the 24/7 Yamba Quarantine Station will issue travellers with a fine of $409 if caught with such produce,” Primary Industries and Regional Development Minister Clare Scriven said.

“Planned roadblocks often increase during peak travel times, such as around state events like the AFL gather round this week and during the school holidays.”

Ms Scriven sent a warning to those considering bringing fruit into the state.

“Pack thoughtfully, enjoy locally bought produce and enjoy the Gather Round,” she said.

Strict laws ban most fresh fruit and vegetables from being brought into South Australia to protect the state’s $2bn horticulture industry from disease.

Biosecurity inspection officers at the border. Picture: Arj Ganesan

Already there’s a load of fruit being collected. Picture: Arj Ganesan

At the South Australia-Victoria border near Bordertown, a steady flow of Victorians were stopped by Biosecurity Inspection Officers, with many caught trying to take fruit over the border.

However, it will be some time before they know if they’ve copped a fine or escaped with a warning, with officers on the ground forwarding offender details back to PIRSA’s head office, who will then make the call.

Victorian Ellie Andrew said she forgot about the lemons she had brought with her and said she hoped she would be given a warning.

Her husband Michael said they respected the need for biosecurity but said for people who unintentionally broke the rules, a warning should be sufficient.

“It should be a warning because it’s a mistake. But if someone’s got a truckload of fruit that’s different,” he said.

Biosecurity Inspection Officers weighing confiscated fruit and vegetables. Picture: Arj Ganesan

Mr Andrew added that you often don’t think about any produce you may have when you see the signs warning against bring food into the state, and said officers should conduct more frequent inspections.

Fellow Victorian Marie Robertson, who was caught with bananas, apples, strawberries and avocados, said produce bought at the supermarket would “surely” be pest free.

“The only problem I have is that all this stuff is bought at the supermarket. So obviously, those trucks would be going everywhere in Australia,” Mrs Robertson said.

Bordertown Morning Loaf Bakery owner Virginia Davis said travellers from interstate would already know the rules.

“If they’re bringing it through then that’s at their own risk,” she said.

The tough quarantine crackdown has received support from Fruit Producers SA executive officer Grant Piggott, who said tourists are routinely told to leave their produce at home.

“We say that to tourists every day of the year and their main target will be the interstate football supporters,” Mr Piggott said.

“We would think on balance it’s a good idea.”

He reiterated the importance of keeping fruit fly away from SA produce as it is detrimental to the industry.

“It is a fight we do need to win.”

Fruit Fly Quarantine sign 2km into South Australia Border from Victoria. Picture: Arj Ganesan

Fruit Fly Quarantine sign 300m into South Australia Border from Victoria. Picture: Arj Ganesan

The extra measures come after one of Australia’s top comedians has hit back at a “dumb and stupid” argument from a state politician who criticised a “reckless joke” about smuggling fruit over the Victorian border for a major AFL event.

Cult Channel 7 footy show The Front Bar, and hosts Mick Molloy, 56, Andy Maher, 58, and Sam Pang, 49, broadcast from Adelaide Oval to celebrate the first Gather Round.

But Molloy hit back after he was accused in state parliament of a “reckless” joke to The Advertiser promoting the popular show’s first interstate taping about “bringing fruit over in my boot”.

It is understood that after the Molloy issue was raised in parliament, Primary Industries authorities created plans for two more border checkpoints, and extra staff, in the South-East and Riverland ahead of Gather Round and the LIV Golf tournament next weekend.

A spokesperson for Ms Scriven said it was “business as usual in terms of checkpoints”.

Yamba Quarantine Station, Sturt Highway Picture: Supplied