Joint media release: Building resilience to manage fruit fly and protect Australia’s horticulture industry
Australia’s fruit fly management strengthened to protect export market access with almost $5 million investment. The new infrastructure will help to deliver improved fumigation, orchid and pest management testing facilities for research. Strengthens national response to exotic fruit fly outbreaks.
The Australian and Queensland Governments are investing almost $5 million to strengthen Australia's fruit fly management capability and protect valuable horticultural export markets, including a $4.7 million contribution from the Albanese Government through the Building Resilience to Manage Fruit Fly Package. Fruit fly is one of the most significant biosecurity threats to Australia's horticulture industry, affecting productivity and international market access.
The funding is supporting the development of new infrastructure at the Queensland Department of Primary Industries' Redlands Research Facility, where the National Export Market Access Centre for Horticulture will be housed, creating a national hub for fruit fly market access research. The investment will deliver new fumigation infrastructure, a netted orchard and dedicated pest management testing areas to support research and market access requirements.
The new facilities will help Australia maintain access to key export markets by supporting the research needed to meet importing country requirements. They will also strengthen Australia's ability to respond to exotic fruit fly outbreaks and reduce the impact of fruit fly-related trade barriers on growers and exporters. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Julie Collins said the Albanese Government was committed to strengthening Australia’s biosecurity system.
“The Albanese Government has delivered over $2 billion in additional biosecurity resourcing since coming to Government, because a strong biosecurity system underpins a strong horticulture and agriculture industry,” Minister Collins said. “Effective fruit fly management is critical to protecting growers, which is why we are supporting the sector to strengthen their resilience against the pest.
“This $4.7 million investment from the Albanese Government will strengthen Australia's fruit fly research capability and help ensure growers and exporters can continue to access valuable export markets. “By investing in the infrastructure and scientific capability needed to meet trading partner requirements, we are helping build a more resilient and competitive horticulture sector.” Queensland Minister for Primary Industries Tony Perrett said the Crisafulli Government was proud to support the Building Resilience to Manage Fruit Fly Project.
“This project a critical initiative to protect Queensland’s horticultural industry and support our producers and exporters,” Minister Perrett said. “It’s critical, home-grown research that is leading the way in securing and growing export markets for Australian horticulture and our fit-for-purpose facilities are ensuring that success. “This investment will help ensure the long-term future and prosperity for Queensland horticulture, strengthening biosecurity measures and safeguarding Queensland producers against the devastating impacts of fruit fly.” We acknowledge the continuous connection of First Nations Traditional Owners and Custodians to the lands, seas and waters of Australia.
We recognise their care for and cultivation of Country. We pay respect to Elders past and present, and recognise their knowledge and contribution to the productivity, innovation and sustainability of Australia’s agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries.