Since our update last month, we advise that PIRSA has declared five new Queensland fruit fly (Qfly) outbreaks in the Riverland and extensions to a range of current outbreaks, due to continued detection of fruit fly larvae and fruit flies.
There are currently 28 outbreaks being managed by PIRSA. The earliest possible quarantine release date is 11 May 2023. However, with PIRSA’s current management, there is the likelihood that an entire 12-month period without detections must elapse before outbreak restrictions can be lifted.
New Qfly outbreaks declared by PIRSA since Vinehealth’s January 2023 update are:
- ‘Chaffey’ outbreak declared on 15 February 2023
- ‘Overland Corner’ outbreak declared on 25 January 2023
- ‘Murtho’ outbreak declared on 25 January 2023
- ‘Waikerie B’ outbreak declared on 31 January 2023
- ‘Swan Reach’ outbreak declared on 1 February 2023
Extensions to current Qfly Outbreak Areas since Vinehealth’s January 2023 update are:
- ‘Monash B’ Outbreak Area – advised by PIRSA on 25 January
- ‘Berri A’ Outbreak Area – advised by PIRSA on 25 January, 6 February and 13 February
- ‘Paringa’ Outbreak Area – advised by PIRSA on 25 January
- ‘Barmera’ Outbreak Area – advised by PIRSA on 3 February, 9 February and 15 February
- ‘Monash A’ Outbreak Area – advised by PIRSA on 6 February
- ‘Renmark West’ Outbreak Area – advised by PIRSA on 9 February
Industry assistance
Vinehealth continues to:
- Send advice texts or emails to impacted growers shortly after each new outbreak or extension to a current outbreak occurs. If your contact details have changed, please ensure you advise us so we can contact you.
- Maintain a range of current fruit fly maps on our website to help you visualise the current fruit fly affected areas. You can also view all current fruit fly outbreaks on PIRSA’s interactive fruit fly map, and to confirm which fruit fly zone your property is in.
- Act as a conduit between industry and PIRSA around requirements for sending and receiving winegrapes.
Routes of travel
- A reminder that there are a range of road closures and diversions active in the Riverland. If you are trucking winegrapes into or out of the Riverland, ensure you check these here and account for any delays in your intake schedule.
- If you are sending winegrapes into the Riverland Pest Free Area (PFA) from other parts of South Australia, there are movement requirements you are required to comply with which are unrelated to fruit fly:
- These winegrape loads are required to be consigned under certification. This means they must be accompanied by either a Plant Health Assurance Certificate (PHAC) issued by an ICA-33 accredited business, or by a Plant Health Certificate (PHC) issued by PIRSA.
- There are no receival requirements for wineries inside the PFA receiving such loads. Options for management of any rejected loads must be discussed with PIRSA.
- If you are sending winegrapes from the Riverland fruit fly affected area (Outbreak or Suspension Areas) into other parts of South Australia, there are movement requirements you are required to comply with:
- These winegrape loads are required to be consigned under certification. This means they must be accompanied by either a Plant Health Assurance Certificate (PHAC) issued by an ICA-33 accredited business, or by a Chief Inspector’s Movement Certificate (CIMC) mirroring the requirements of ICA-33 issued by PIRSA for cases where three or fewer loads are consigned from a vineyard for the vintage. All loads must be consigned to prevent spillage; covered or not filled above 200mm of the top lip of the bin or truck.
- Wineries receiving such loads must do so either under IVCA CA-01 accreditation or under a Section 9 Order issued by PIRSA. Options for management of any rejected loads must be discussed with PIRSA.
Managing unsold winegrapes
If you are in the Riverland and unable to sell some or all of your grapes this vintage, it is essential you minimise the risk of your crop becoming an unintentional host for fruit fly.
PIRSA and the wine industry have worked together to provide some recommendations:
- Harvest early in the grape ripening phase so the grapes are less attractive to fruit fly.
- Set up the harvester to damage the berries as much as possible during the harvesting process.
- Drop the berries onto the ground aiming to spread the berries out.
- Harvest during the daytime so sunlight and heat rapidly begin the desiccation process.
As always, contact the PIRSA Market Access team on 8207 7814 or PIRSA Fruit Fly Response Market Access team on 1800 255 556 for assistance.