YOUR PRODUCTION
New conditions for Qfly host produce
at the Perth Markets
I
n January 2021 the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) announced it was responding to an outbreak of Queensland fruit fly (Qfly) in Coolbellup and surrounds, after the pest was trapped in the area. Everyone dealing with Qfly host produce at the Perth Markets in Canning Vale was asked to comply with conditions of the Quarantine Area Notice and follow one of the simple steps to ensure Qfly host produce was kept free of Qfly and can continue to be traded.
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WA Grower AUTUMN 2021
1. Use fly-proof packaging — ensure all Qfly host produce is covered in flyproof packaging. This means there are no gaps greater than 1.6mm in the packaging. Examples of fly-proof packaging include fly-proof bags/ mesh cardboard boxes sealed with tape (no holes) or plastic bags (tied or sealed). 2. Keep host produce inside — remove all host produce from an open-air environment and keep it enclosed in screened buildings, cold rooms, vehicles or other facilities free from gaps or other entry points greater than 1.6mm. Host fruit to be securely packaged, stored and transported relates to commercial host produce grown outside of the quarantine area, and moved from the wider quarantine area (the quarantine area that is not within the outbreak area) to other areas within Western Australia (WA). Movements outside of WA are subject to import requirements of the destination country or Australian State or Territory.
Host produce needs to be securely packaged, stored and transported while being transported through the quarantine area by meeting one of the following measures: • Unvented packages • Vented packages with the vents secured with mesh with a maximum aperture of 1.6mm • Vented packages enclosing a liner bag or liner sheet that obscure vent holes • Packages, bins or palletised units fully enclosed under plastic wrap, tarpaulins, hessian, mesh or other coverings, which provide a maximum aperture of 1.6mm • Fully enclosed or screened buildings, cold-rooms, vehicles or other facilities free from gaps or other entry points greater than 1.6mm.
DPIRD responds to an outbreak of Queensland fruit fly in Coolbellup.
