The Andrews Labor Government is bolstering the ability of farmers to fight against Queensland fruit fly (QFF) and is providing the funds to ensure that Victoria is adequately protected from this bug.

Minister of Agriculture Minister Gayle Tierney has announced the top recipients of the second phase of Victorian Fruit Fly Strategy grants to help implement QFF control programs throughout regional Victoria. QFF is a pest that has been in place in Victoria and is able to quickly multiply through orchards, backyard gardens and even the home garden through vegetables and fruit.

Regional coordinators from Goulburn Murray Valley Greater Sunraysia and Yarra Valley have been awarded grants to provide local groups, nurseries, community groups as well as rural supply stores the ability to detect risks and put in place methods of control.

The first phase of Victorian Fruit Fly Strategy grants allowed regional coordinators to interact with communities in important landscapes through more than 130 activities as well as facilitated the removal of 3100 trees that were at risk of being destroyed. These grants are offered under the Labor government’s $6.4 million Victorian Fruit Fly Strategy 20212021-2025. The strategy is designed to assist both industry and household gardeners make the transition to controlling fruit fly within their local communities. Additional measures to manage fruit fly included in the plan are the regulation of research, preparations and to deal with exotic fruit fly invasions.

QFF management programmes are helping ensure Victorian producers are adequately prepared to address biosecurity-related risks as well as promoting and building confidence in the industry and the wider community.

For further information, click here.

Alex Woods

Ministry for Agriculture

Tel. : +61 0422 572 228

Email: alex.woods@minstaff.vic.gov.au

https://agriculture.vic.gov.au