In a significant victory for the state’s horticultural and agritourism sectors, Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis has officially declared Western Australia free from Queensland fruit fly (Qfly). The announcement follows an intensive, eight-month eradication campaign in Perth’s southern suburbs, safeguarding the state’s $1.49 billion horticulture industry from one of its most destructive pests.
Threat Averted for Fruit-Growing and U-Pick Operations
The successful eradication is of critical importance to WAAA members, particularly those with orchards, vineyards, and U-pick operations. The establishment of Qfly in WA would have had devastating consequences, potentially limiting access to vital export and domestic markets and severely impacting the viability of home-grown fruit and vegetable production. The pest is known to attack over 300 species, including key agricultural products like avocados, tomatoes, and stone fruit.
The response was triggered by the detection of Qfly in Willagee and Palmyra in November 2024. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) led an extensive effort that involved visiting over 12,000 properties and deploying more than 10,500 lures. The Quarantine Area Notice, which covered a 15-kilometre radius and restricted the movement of fruit, has now been lifted.
A Reminder of Biosecurity Vigilance
While the immediate threat has been neutralised, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of robust biosecurity measures for all agricultural businesses. Minister Jarvis praised the collective effort but stressed the need for ongoing vigilance.
“This achievement is thanks to an enormous effort by residents, businesses and local governments… along with the Perth Markets who faced a number of quarantine restrictions to ensure we could eradicate this pest as quickly as possible,” she stated.
“This is the tenth time Qfly has been successfully eradicated from the Perth metropolitan area since the 1980s and is a great example of how we can all pull together to protect our horticultural industries and environment from harmful pests and diseases.”
The Minister urged all Western Australians to continue to play a role in the state’s biosecurity defence.
“I encourage all Western Australians to remain vigilant and continue to report any unusual animal or plant pests via the MyPestGuide Reporter app. The quicker we identify a pest or disease the better chance we have of containing and eradicating it.”
For agritourism operators, maintaining strict on-farm biosecurity protocols and encouraging visitor awareness remains a key business imperative to protect both individual properties and the broader industry.
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