Operation Backoff cuts fruit fly menace

A major operation in north-east Victoria has made a significant contribution towards combating the threat of fruit fly, Minister for Agriculture, Joe Helper, said today. Mr Helper said Operation Backoff – a Queensland Fruit Fly (QFF) operation to combat the major economic pest head-on had produced positive results.

A major operation in north-east Victoria has made a significant contribution towards combating the threat of fruit fly, Minister for Agriculture, Joe Helper, said today.
Mr Helper said Operation Backoff – a Queensland Fruit Fly ( QFF ) operation to combat the major economic pest head-on had produced positive results.

“In the six weeks of this operation, officers from the Department of Primary Industries ( DPI ) worked with local communities to tackle fruit fly,” Mr Helper said.

“DPI field crews recorded and inspected more than 27,000 fruit trees in more than 14,000 properties. From these trees, 27 infestations of QFF were identified and treated.”

Fruit trees were surveyed and inspected at Wahgunyah, Rutherglen, Chiltern, Benalla, Tocumwal and Wangaratta.

Mr Helper said teams recorded the type and number of fruit trees on each property, gathering information that would assist in more effective eradication of the pest in future campaigns.

“Other benefits of the operation included the testing of a new and rapid diagnostic technique for identifying QFF and the discovery of several new outbreaks along the Murray River,” he said.

“Operation Backoff was not an isolated operation but rather part of an ongoing strategic campaign to reduce the pressures of the QFF in north-east Victoria.

“It was part of the Bracks Government’s extensive and ongoing control measures aimed at protecting the state’s $500 million horticulture industry from pests and diseases.”

Mr Helper thanked landholders and communities for their co-operation and assistance during Operation Backoff.

“The community response to this operation has been fantastic and I would like to thank residents for their support and DPI officers for their hard work,” he said.

“When you’re fighting the world’s worst economic fruit pest, it takes a combined and committed effort.”

Mr Helper said an additional 1200 trees had been nominated by house owners for removal over the coming weeks, which would help reduce the threat of future outbreaks.

For further information on the QFF program call the DPI Customer Service Centre on 136 186 or visit the website at www.dpi.vic.gov.au

Source: media-newswire.com