The future of the Goulburn Murray Valley Fruit Fly Project is uncertain, with the state government yet to advise whether the project will be funded after June 2020.
The Managing Fruit Fly in Victoria Action Plan (2015-20) and associated grants program runs until June 30. Agriculture Victoria is considering future fruit fly management arrangements.
GMV Fruit Fly Project governance group chair Tony Siciliano said it was inevitable fruit fly numbers in the GMV would increase to where they were prior to the project’s commencement, if the project ceased.
“Despite the many economic challenges facing the government, it’s imperative and a matter of common sense that we continue to protect our horticultural industry by maintaining our focus on reducing the spread of fruit fly,” he said.
The project has reduced fruit fly numbers by more than 73 per cent in Cobram and 60 per cent in the City of Greater Shepparton and the Campaspe and Strathbogie shires.
“If funding for the project stops in June, fruit fly numbers will increase to what they were before the project began,” Mr Siciliano said.
“And we will see an increase of 60 to 70 per cent across the GMV region which will bring with it huge blows for our growers and our horticultural industry.
“At this point we are in a positive position because we have significantly reduced the threat of fruit fly.
“There is no question the COVID-19 virus must have centre stage at the moment, but a rise in QFF numbers next fruit season will finish a lot of growers.
“If QFF is not managed, you can say goodbye to our fruit exports and forget about post-COVID-19 recovery in horticulture.
“This is about assessing the threat to our industry and acting now to prevent losing next season’s harvest. If the government is thinking recovery, it will be too late for us.”
Fruit Growers Victoria grower services manager Michael Crisera also supported the continuation of the project.
“We have real concerns that funding for the project may cease in June and if this happens, it will seriously impact the industry’s ability to control fruit fly and maintain export markets,” Mr Crisera said.
“There will be an avalanche of fruit fly next season if funding stops and we go back to what it was like before we got it under control.
“It’s imperative that the governance group continue.
``Put simply, we must keep maggots out of our fruit so we can continue to expand our exports.
”As a representative of apple, pear and stonefruit growers we wholeheartedly support the project and recognise the enormous value it has been able to achieve for the region as a whole.”
A Victorian Government spokesperson said the Goulburn Murray Valley Regional Fruit Fly Group and Moira Shire had done an exceptional job implementing their regional action plan with the award-winning ‘No Flies On Us’ program.
“QFF is a threat to our horticulture production and to our gardens. We know the importance of shared responsibility in managing this pest — that’s why we developed the action plan five years ago,” the spokesperson said.