Following the discovery of a male Queensland Fruit Fly (QFF) in the Salisbury North (Adelaide metropolitan) outbreak area on 30 October, the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) extended the fruit fly reinstatement date to 5 February 2025.
While there are no vineyards in the 1.5 km Corrective Action Zone (red outbreak zone), there are many growers in the 15 km Export Assurance Zone (yellow suspension zone). If additional flies are found, this will impact harvest operations.
Vinehealth Australia and PIRSA are discussing any impacts on growers within the suspension zone, wineries receiving grapes from within the outbreak zone, and grape deliveries that transit through the outbreak zone.
In 2024, harvest operations were impacted by the QFF outbreak area. Therefore, Vinehealth Australia strongly suggests that growers stay abreast of further QFF discoveries and the impacts they may have on reinstatement date and harvest operations, and investigate PIRSA movement restriction registrations.
Vinehealth Australia will continue to update growers and business owners on implications for the transport of grapes through the Export Assurance Zone.
Vinehealth Australia will contact affected growers if detections are found that impact growers directly.
Vinehealth Australia, PIRSA and the Riverland wine grape industry are meeting on 5 December to discuss Riverland vintage fruit fly movement conditions and restrictions, and outcomes will be conveyed after this meeting.
For further information, please visit the PIRSA fruit fly website or contact the Fruit Fly Response Market Access hotline on 1800 255 556.