Quarantine for produce grown in Adelaide northeast extended to October

The fruit fly quarantine in Glynde is set to extend after the first pests were discovered in January.

Further trouble looms for farmers around Adelaide’s northeast, as more fruit flies have been detected in the Glynde outbreak area — triggering a longer quarantine period.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) have announced the new end date for quarantine to 19 October, which was previously set to lift in May.

The initial outbreak was reported after Queensland fruit fly maggots were found in homegrown peaches on a Glynde property in January.

PIRSA Minister Clare Scriven said the new end date has been set to match the longer lifespan of the fruit flies.

“The extension to October is due to this latest detection occurring in Autumn with fruit flies going dormant during winter thereby extending their life cycle,” she said.

“There has been no extension to the outbreak and suspension areas associated with the Glynde outbreak.

“The only change is the extension to the quarantine period.”

Current fruit movement restrictions involve the 1.5km red zone and 15km yellow suspension zone, which was implemented in January.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regions have announced the new end date for quarantine to 19 October. Brett Hartwig

South Australia’s produce industry, which is valued at $1.3 billion, maintains a pest-free status and is required to follow national protocols in the event of an outbreak.

The Queensland fruit fly outbreak has required residents and farmers to keep homegrown fruit and vegetables on their properties since January, which has caused grief for several produce traders, including Adelaide Hills Berry Farm and Willabrand Figs.

Originally published as Quarantine for produce grown in Adelaide northeast extended to October