Victoria’s fruit and vegetable growing regions will be better equipped to manage fruit fly thanks to a $6.7 million funding boost from the state Labor government.
Agriculture Minister Jaala Pulford announced the funding today at an Ardmona orchard to develop and deliver the Managing Fruit Fly – Regional Grants Program.
Fruit flies, including Queensland Fruit Fly, disrupt horticulture production in Victoria and threaten trade worldwide.
Administered by Agriculture Victoria, the grants form a key part of the Labor Government’s Fruit Fly Action Plan.
It is anticipated fruit fly trap rollouts, urban tree removal programs, pest monitoring and school or sporting club engagement could all be supported through the program.
Ms Pulford also confirmed the appointment of Victoria’s first state-wide fruit fly coordinator Cathy Mansfield, who has worked in the industry for more than 20 years with a strong focus on pest management, and is based in Tatura, also in the Goulburn Valley.
Ms Manfield will support three new regional co-ordinator fruit fly groups.
Each group will be led by key horticulture industry experts and will work closely with community groups, organisations and institutions to improve fruit fly management in commercial orchards while improving international market access and trade opportunities.
Victoria’s horticultural industry has a farm gate value of around $2.4 billion and accounts for 52 per cent of Australia’s horticultural exports. International trade of horticulture products from Victoria was valued at $909 million in 2014-15.
Applications for the Regional Grants Program will soon be available at agriculture.vic.gov.au/qff
“The Andrews Labor Government knows the importance of protecting and investing in our horticulture sector that has a proud reputation of producing clean, safe and affordable food on the world stage,” Ms Pulford said.
