Five adult flies and larvae found in backyard orchard at George Town
UPDATED: FRUIT and vegetables have been pulled from the shelves of major supermarket chains in Tasmania after fruit fly larvae was found in a nectarine at a grocery store.
UPDATED: FRUIT and vegetables have been pulled from the shelves of major supermarket chains in Tasmania after fruit fly larvae was found in a nectarine at a grocery store.
Tasmania’s biosecurity department has issued a statewide recall of all produce that passed through a fumigation facility in Victoria.
In a statement issued today, Coles said it had withdrawn “a number” of fresh produce lines from its 16 Tasmanian stores.
Woolworths has taken tri-coloured capsicum off its shelves.
The larvae was found at a Devonport supermarket on Tuesday night.
It comes after a fruit fly exclusion zone in the state’s north was extended this week following the discovery of five adult flies and larvae at a backyard orchard at George Town.
Flies were also found at Flinders Island and at Spreyton in state’s north in January.
Tasmania relies on its fruit-fly-free status for access to million-dollar premium markets in Japan, Korea, the USA and China.
Primary Industries Minister Jeremy Rockliff said the incursion should be handled like a “natural disaster”.
“Our system of commercial fruit importation relies on fruit being certified as ‘pest free’ before it comes into Tasmania,” he said.
In the midst of an election campaign, the state’s Labor opposition has hit out at the Liberal Government for cutting biosecurity services.
“(Premier) Will Hodgman’s response has been severely lacking and it is clear he has lost control with fruit fly larvae now being found on supermarket shelves,” Ms White said in a statement.
Tasmanians are being urged to double wrap any fruit scraps in plastic bags before putting it in the bin.
Produce withdrawn from supermarket shelves will be inspected by authorities, who will determine if it needs to be destroyed.
Coles and Woolworths say the affected nectarine wasn’t from one of their stores.
The Queensland fruit fly is found along Australia’s eastern seaboard and in the Northern Territory and was declared a list-A pest in Tasmania in 1997.
— AAP
EARLIER: TASMANIANS are being told to double bag any fruit scraps at home after the discovery of fruit fly larvae on imported nectarines in a Devonport grocery store.
The fruit, from an interstate market, had been through an accredited fruit fly treatment plant in Victoria.
A statewide recall has been issued for the fruit, but Biosecurity Tasmania is refusing to say which stores have stocked the supplier’s produce.
The recall does not affect all fruit fly host produce in Tasmania, but does involve a substantial amount of at-risk produce, which has been removed from the shelves at the affected retail outlets.
Biosecurity Tasmania general manager Lloyd Klumpp said it was inappropriate during ongoing investigations to name the store where the nectarine was found or the treatment plant it came from.
Dr Klumpp said the nectarines came into Tasmania as certified, treated, fruit fly-free produce.
“However this is clearly not the case and so in line with agreed protocols we have issued a recall on all fruit fly host produce that has gone through this interstate treatment facility,” Dr Klumpp said.
Fruit fly host produce includes apples, apricots, bananas, blackberries, capsicum, cherries, figs, grapefruit, mulberries, nashi pears, nectarines, oranges, peaches, pears, plums, raspberries, strawberries and tomatoes.
Dr Klumpp said for people who already have fruit and vegetables at home the message was simple — cook it or eat it but when disposed of, it must be double wrapped in plastic bags before going in the bin.
“Do not compost or dump it. There is no need to return it to the grocery store from where you bought it from,” Dr Klumpp said.
The affected fruit was detected as part of Biosecurity Tasmania’s standard operations.
“We are undertaking further investigation with interstate authorities, including any relationship between this Victorian treatment facility and other Tasmanian detections of fruit fly this summer,” he said.
The movement of fruit fly host produce between states relies on the Interstate Certification Arrangements and Biosecurity Tasmania has a system of audits and checks in line with these arrangements.
“It is important to remember that the recall does not affect all fruit fly host produce in Tasmania, just the produce that went through this particular facility, before being imported to Tasmania,” Dr Klumpp said.
Dr Klumpp said whether fruit is home grown or store purchased it is important for people to inspect all fruit fly host produce and look for signs of damage or larvae in the fruit.
The fruit fly control area has now been expanded to include the coast region to Beechford and Lefroy, Rowella, Sidmouth and down to Kimberly in the south.
The discovery of four more adults fruit flies, as well as larvae in fruit in a backyard at George Town, has put extra strain on Biosecurity Tasmania’s already stretched resources with the state’s volunteer firefighters being called on to help.
The Tasmanian Fire Service sent out a request for volunteers to help at Biosecurity Tasmania’s incursion control centres at Devonport, Launceston and on Flinders Island over the next three months.
It comes as a leaked Tasmanian Government question time brief has revealed Federal Government cuts to Tasmania’s biosecurity funding.
Federal Member for Braddon Justine Keay said the documents state there have been some staff reductions across Biosecurity Tasmania because of reductions in Federal funding for providing Commonwealth biosecurity services.
“The Premier needs to come clean on how much was cut, what services were cut and what action his government took to restore the Commonwealth funding,” she said.
Premier Will Hodgman hit back at the claims stating that biosecurity funding has been increased by $4.5 million to $25.3 million and 20 extra staff were now working for Biosecurity Tasmania.
“The only thing we have done on coming into Government was reassign funding which was set up for a Fox Taskforce ... we have redirected that funding but we’re actually putting more into biosecurity so we can deal with the real challenges like the one we’re facing now,” he said.
Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association president Wayne Johnston said his organisation has been warning Biosecurity of concerns since the blueberry rust issue emerged.
“They keep telling us we’ll be right, everything is up to standard and things are all good, but it’s a worry. This is our clean, green, safe image at stake and it’s what we hang our hat on.”
Fruit Growers Tasmania business development manager Phil Pyke said given the scale of the incursion, it was understandable Biosecurity Tasmania would be calling in extra resources.
“You’ve got to look at this in context of the size of it and it’s almost akin to a natural disaster,” he said.
Tasmanian Labor Party leader Rebecca White has also described the situation as a disaster for the state’s producers and the Tasmanian brand.
“There can be no escaping the fact that both the federal and state Liberals have cut biosecurity and now it’s impacting on Tasmanian producers,” she said.
Reports of fruit fly can be made by contacting Biosecurity Tasmania on 6165 3774
EARLIER: THE increased fruit fly control area in the north of the State is become a nightmare, says a blueberry grower.
Five adult fruit flies and larvae detected in fruit in a George Town backyard orchard have resulted in Biosecurity Tasmania increasing the control area from the current zone around Devonport to include the northern coastal area to Beechford and Lefroy, Rowella, Sidmouth and Kimberley.
Fruit growers are encouraging Tasmanians to buy local produce. The public is being urged to be aware of the control areas and requirements to minimise movement of fruit fly.
Wine Tasmania yesterday signed off, with help of Biosecurity Tasmania, on protocols allowing wines grapes to be transported through and from the control zone. Wine grapes can be a host of fruit fly.
MORE FRUIT FLIES FOUND IN TASMANIA
For the state’s $30 million blueberry industry, fruit fly is an added burden as it already fights to eradicate blueberry rust. The serious fungal disease had its first incursion in 2014.
Certified organic blueberry grower Trish Macfarlane, who has an orchard near Launceston on the boundary of the extended control area, said the combination of fruit and blueberry rust has become a “nightmare”.
MORE: NEW BLUEBERRY RUST CASE THREATENS $30M INDUSTRY
“It’s beginning to affect a lot of people and changed what they do with their business,” Ms Macfarlane said.
“Changes have to be made in packaging for fruit leaving the farm.
“We applaud the unbelievably good job biosecurity ground staff are doing considering the task ahead and the stretched resources.”
Ms Macfarlane said because of the incursion of blueberry rust, properties were supposed to have a third independent inspection by Biosecurity Tasmania.
“That hasn’t happened yet – we have been highlighting problems in biosecurity since 2016,” she said.
“Growers also do their own inspections in the shed and out in the field and complete documentation.”
Wine Tasmania chief executive Sheralee Davies said the agreed protocols came in time for the first harvest tomorrow from a vineyard in the extended control zone.
“We have about 30 producers in the extended control area. We don’t want to potentially transport the pest,” she said.
Biosecurity Tasmania general manager Lloyd Klumpp said the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment is liaising directly with growers in the new control area to keep them informed of the latest information and identify measures to minimise any effects.
“We have been speaking directly to Wine Tasmania, Fruit Growers Tasmania and the Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association and will also be liaising with other fruit and produce growers within the new control area. Currently we are also arranging a forum for growers so they can talk directly to the Department,” Dr Klumpp said.
“We recognise that the implementation of this new control area impacts on both industry and the wider community. However we want to acknowledge the industry and community vigilance and support that has been provided so far and encourage you to continue to work with us as we undertake this work.”
Reports of fruit fly can be made by contacting Biosecurity Tasmania on 6165 3774.
Further information about fruit fly and the latest control area maps can be found at www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au
EARLIER: A FRUIT fly exclusion zone in Tasmania’s north has been extended, with the state’s biosecurity experts convinced an active population of the invasive pest exists.
Five adult flies and larvae have been trapped at a backyard orchard at George Town after outbreaks at Flinders Island and Spreyton last month prompted Taiwan to suspend fruit imports from affected regions.
MORE: NERVOUS WAIT ON FRUIT FLY SIGHTING
Tasmania relies on its fruit-fly-free status for access to million-dollar premium markets in Japan, Korea, the USA and China.
Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment Biosecurity Tasmania general manager Lloyd Klumpp said the latest discovery indicates an active population in the area.
Dr Klumpp said investigations into how the flies arrived is ongoing but mainland supply chain “issues” couldn’t be ruled out.
“We are aware that other parts of Australia are currently dealing with a similar situation,” he said.
The control area has been extended to George Town, east of Devonport.
A $2 million assistance package to help growers has previously been announced by the state government.
The Queensland fruit fly is found along Australia’s eastern seaboard and in the Northern Territory and was declared a list-A pest in Tasmania in 1997.
– with AAP
Originally published as Five adult flies and larvae found in backyard orchard at George Town
Touching reason young trio is selling home-made fruit punch
Three youngsters have launched a highly successful fruit punch stall to raise money for a cause dear to their hearts. HOW YOU CAN HELP >>>
Our top dream home sales of 2025 so far
A budget of $2.75m-plus is the starting point for high-end home sales in Tasmania this year. BEST 12 HOMES REVEALED >>>
Slice of $35 billion pie: Stadium ‘to cash in on conference market’
A stadium at Macquarie Point would help Tasmania claim a larger slice of the $35 billion national business events market, and supercharge the state into a premier conference destination.