It is estimated that fruit fly costs Australia $300 million a year in control costs and lost markets, with losses to fruit and vegetable crop production put at $159 million a year.

The projects were announced in Shepparton by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Barnaby Joyce and local Member for Murray, Damian Drum.

“To boost exports to these countries the government is providing funding to Plant Health Australia to support state governments and export industries to develop further evidence of pest free areas, to support new market access requests and maintenance of existing markets,” Minister Joyce said.

“This work will give trading partners more evidence to be confident of claims of pest absence and area freedom, these things make it easier for exporters minimising delays and allowing producers to get a better price for their quality produce overseas.”

Member for Murray, Damian Drum said the projects will have a positive impact on the fruit growing regions in his electorate.

“Shepparton is a major horticulture production region for pears, apples and summerfruit including nectarines, plums and apricots valued at approximately $500 million and many of these have strict are freedom certification requirements for export,” Drum said.

“This work is helping to ensure we are aware of biosecurity risks as early as possible, to help identify and manage pests or diseases, along with support market access so our local producers can send their produce to overseas markets and get a higher return at the farmgate,” he said.

Goulburn Valley fruit grower and packer, Peter Thompson said he gave his full support to the announcement.

“Market access is critical to key export destinations like Taiwan, China and the United States. Pests limit our export markets. Working towards pest free zones will only enhance our export opportunities,” Thompson said.

Minister Joyce said his department was funding a pilot trial of automated traps to help detect fruit flies early, which will also help prove areas are free from this pest and save growers, who currently monitor traps manually, valuable time and money

“We are also strengthening the National Exotic Fruit Fly Surveillance Program, which operates at many entry points into Australia to stop exotic species entering and becoming established,” Minister Joyce said.

“This represents a further investment in our biosecurity system which underpins agriculture’s significant contribution to our nation’s economy and safeguards us all from damaging pests and diseases.

For more information on the Australian Government's biosecurity work, click HERE.