Published on Thursday, 23 March 2023 at 12:47:17 PM

An Export Assurance Zone has been declared for parts of Shire of Mundaring to support efforts to eradicate the serious agricultural pest Queensland fruit fly (Qfly), requiring residents and businesses to take action.

A Quarantine Area has been declared for parts of the Cities of Bayswater and Belmont, with the shire falling in a broader 15 kilometre buffer zone which is also in place.

The move comes after recent detections of the damaging pest in Bayswater by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s (DPIRD’s) early detection surveillance trapping grid.

While there have been no Qfly detections in the outer metropolitan horticulture production districts, the shire is included in the buffer zone requiring growers to follow movement directions for produce.

The Quarantine Area has a small Corrective Action Zone covering a 1.5 kilometre radius around the detection point near the intersection of Frinton and Roberts Streets.

Home grown fruit and fruiting vegetables, like tomatoes, chillies and capsicums, cannot be moved out of or within the Corrective Action Zone, unless cooked, frozen or solarised.

Unwanted fruit and fruiting vegetables can be treated by cooking, freezing or solarising before being disposed of in general waste bins.

Ripe or ripening fruit and fruiting vegetables from home gardens must be picked regularly and all fallen fruit removed every three days and cannot be moved within or outside the zone unless treated.

It is important that homegrown fruits and vegetables are not disposed of without prior treatment, as this risks spreading Qfly outside of the current zone.

Chief Plant Biosecurity Officer Sonya Broughton said the Quarantine Area was required for an efficient and effective biosecurity response and called on the community for support.

 

“It’s important we all play our part to aid a swift response and prevent Qfly from further impacting our valuable horticulture industries,” Dr Broughton said.

 

“Working together – industry, government and community – and adhering to the Quarantine Area directions gives us the best chance of eradicating this pest, which could impact growers’ livelihoods and access to valuable markets.”

An extensive DPIRD eradication campaign is underway, including inspections and baiting with a registered organic control, on street trees and trees on residential and commercial properties.

Export Assurance Zone

The Export Assurance Zone covers the area in a 15 km radius from the detection point - the area of the QA that is not part of the Corrective Action Zone. The area will act as a buffer zone to further prevent further spread of the pest.

The requirements for the management of Qfly host fruit for this area are less stringent but commercially grown Qfly host fruit cannot move either within the QA or outside the QA unless it is treated.

Queensland Fruit Fly

Qfly is considered one of the world’s worst pests, attacking more than 300 fruits, fruiting vegetables and fruiting plants, as well as home gardens.

The department has vast expertise and experience in responding to Qfly detections in the metropolitan area, having eradicated the pest eight times in the past 40 years, most recently in the western and southern suburbs in 2020 and 2021.

Map and further information

For a map, information on movement, treatment and disposal requirements and to stay up to date with the Qfly biosecurity response visit the Qfly update webpage.

Report Queensland Fruit Fly

Reports of suspected Qfly can be made to DPIRD’s Pest and Disease Information Service on (08) 9368 3080, email padis@dpird.wa.gov.au or via the MyPestGuide Reporter app.

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