In a landmark achievement for agricultural pest control, the Port Augusta Sterile Insect Technology (SIT) facility has released one billion sterile fruit flies over the Riverland area.
This major milestone is part of an ongoing effort to address fruit fly outbreaks in the region, which pose a significant threat to both commercial and residential horticulture.
The facility, operational since August 2022, has recently undergone a substantial expansion, enabling it to double its production of sterile Queensland fruit flies (Q-fly). From an initial 20 million flies per week, the production rate has now reached 40 million.
This increase was made possible by a $3 million investment, which is part of the Federal Government’s $30 million Building Resilience to Manage Fruit Fly package. This funding was supplemented by contributions from the Department of Primary Industries and Regions, South Australia (PIRSA) and Citrus SA.
The SIT program operates on a simple yet effective principle: by mating sterile flies with their wild counterparts, the resultant eggs are unviable, leading to a gradual reduction in the fruit fly population.
This method is environmentally friendly and targets one of the most devastating horticultural pests globally, which wreaks havoc on a range of fruits and vegetables, affecting both trade and personal gardens.
The expansion of the Port Augusta facility included the creation of separate rooms for different stages of the fruit fly lifecycle, along with the hiring of eight additional staff members. As of now, the Riverland is grappling with 47 fruit fly outbreaks, and stringent restrictions are in place in affected and surrounding areas.
Authorities are also urging travelers to the Riverland and those returning from interstate to comply with fruit fly regulations. Non-compliance can result in a $414 fine. To assist travelers, the website fruitfly.sa.gov.au offers a comprehensive list of restricted produce and suggests alternative snacks for those journeying during the summer.
Further information is available through the Fruit Fly Hotline at 1300 666 010. This collaborative effort underscores the importance of community involvement in preserving South Australia’s agricultural integrity.
Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Murray Watt, said “This exciting milestone of one billion sterile flies being released highlights the success of the Port Augusta facility and its recent expansion, building on the years of hard work by the Department of Primary industries and Regions South Australia and their dedicated team in the Port Augusta facility.”
“Collaboration was key to the success of this work, made possible through the Federal Government’s Building Resilience to Manage Fruit Fly package (the package) in combination with co-contributions from the South Australian Government and Citrus SA.”
“I look forward to continuing to work closely with my South Australian counterparts on other initiatives under the package; including the recently announced post-harvest treatment facility in Adelaide, updating interstate trade protocols, roll out of electronic plant health certification and additional roadblock activities to protect the Riverland pest-free area.”
South Australian Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Clare Scriven, said that this milestone was an incredible achievement and a vital step in the Riverland fruit fly eradication response.
“The Sterile Insect Technology (SIT) facility at Port Augusta has gone from strength to strength since it was established in 2016 as the first purpose-built fruit fly facility in Australia, and it continues to be at the forefront of Australian research into sterile insect technology for Q-fly.”
“The Malinauskas Government is doing everything it can to eradicate the current outbreaks in the Riverland and remains committed to protecting our $1.45 billion horticulture industry from fruit fly.”
Citrus SA Chair, Mark Doecke, said “Citrus SA is happy to partner with the State Government to fund the Sterile Expansion for the benefit of all South Australians.”
“We thank the staff of the Port Augusta facility on the milestone of one billion flies. We see this facility as key to eradicating fruit fly in South Australia.”
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