Fruit fly message takes to the River

MEDIA RELEASE

November 11, 2009

Travellers along the length of the Murray River will be the target for the message about the risks posed by fruit fly this summer.

Discover Murray, creators of the award-winning tourism website www.MurrayRiver.com.au , has become an official partner of the fruit fly community awareness program managed by the Tri-State Fruit Fly Committee - just in time to help spread the message during the peak summer period.

“If holidaymakers are aware of the restrictions around travelling in the Fruit Fly Exclusion Zone and Greater Sunraysia Pest Free area with fruit and vegetables then they will avoid fines, and everyone benefits,” Discover Murray Director Shane Strudwick said.

“The Murray River is the heart of much of the horticultural industry in south eastern Australia as well as the heart of its tourism sector and that’s why we think it’s a perfect partnership,” Mr Strudwick said.

“We’re delighted to be able to help this message get to travellers,” he said.

Fruit fly can hitch a ride in many types of fruit, including stonefruit, pome fruits (apples, pears and quinces), tropical and temperate fruits and in citrus. It will even lay eggs in chillies and other fruiting vegetables such as capsicums, eggplants, tomatoes and tamarillos.

Fresh fruit and vegetables cannot be taken into the Zone or the PFA and should not be taken across any state borders.

The Fruit Fly Exclusion Zone includes areas in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia and also incorporates the Greater Sunraysia Pest Free Area (PFA). On the spot fines apply to travellers found to have restricted produce in their vehicles and court fines can run to $20,000.00.

Chairman of the Tri-State Fruit Fly Committee, Scot MacDonald said the support of organisations such as Discover Murray is vital to the Committee’s goal of reaching all travellers with the fruit fly message.

“Keeping fruit fly away out is essential to the livelihoods of many regional communities and we want to spread the message as widely as possible,” Mr MacDonald said.

“It’s all about having the best holiday this summer – and all of us doing our bit to protect the great quality of Australian produce at the same time,” Mr Strudwick said.

ENDS

Visit Fruit Fly website for more information

Further information:

• Shane Strudwick, 0409 678 654
• Scot MacDonald, 0428 624 333
• Lee Welch, Porter Novelli (Adelaide) 0407 390 089