The increasing risk of Queensland Fruit Fly (Qfly) was highlighted during a community forum held in Shepparton last night, delivered by Greater Shepparton City Council in partnership with the Goulburn Murray Valley (GMV) Fruit Fly Program.
In Summary
- Queensland Fruit Fly (Qfly) risk increasing – A community forum in Shepparton highlighted the growing threat of Qfly, with expert analysis forecasting a significant rise in numbers beyond June 2025.
- Funding uncertainty for the GMV Fruit Fly Management Program – The program's funding is set to end on 30 June 2025, with no commitment from the Victorian Government to extend support, raising concerns for the horticulture industry.
- Expert insights on control strategies – Presentations covered the effectiveness of the GMV program and the success of the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT), which has proven to significantly reduce Qfly populations in previous trials.
- Urgent call for government support – Stakeholders stressed the need for ongoing funding, highlighting that a $1 million investment could protect the $1.6 billion horticulture industry in the Goulburn Murray Valley.
More than 50 people attended the forum, designed to both educate and inform local horticulturalists, businesses, volunteers, community and local government. Attendees heard from internationally renowned fruit fly expert, Andrew Jessup, about his expert analysis commissioned by Council on the effectiveness of the GMV Fruit Fly Program and the Qfly number forecasts beyond June 2025.
Funding for the GMV Fruit Fly Management Program is set to end on 30 June 2025, with the Victorian Government yet to commit to continuing the funding beyond this date. Mayor, Councillor Shane Sali, said it was important that the community is prepared for the significant risk this poses to our region's horticulture and agriculture industries.
"We are not going to give up advocating to protect the horticultural industry within the Goulburn Murray Valley. There is too much at stake and it continues to concern me that we are still having this conversation," he said at last night's forum.
"Our region feeds the nation and all we need for our fruit fly program to continue successfully is a $1million annual commitment from the Victorian Government."
Forum attendees also heard from Macquarie University's, Professor Phil Taylor, on Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) and how effective this has been, particularly during a trial undertaken in Moira Shire for three years from 2019. The Moira Shire trial is the most successful SIT trial that has been undertaken in eastern Australia. Professor Taylor explained how the trial demonstrated that when coupled with an area wide management program, Qfly can be controlled and managed very effectively.
The GMW Fruit Fly Management Program saw positive results over many years, with Qfly numbers reducing by over 95 per cent in 2017 and then a further 60 per cent in 2018. These positive results suffered post 2020 however, when funding was reduced by over 62.5 per cent resulting in a less intensive area wide management program. Since this funding cut, Qfly numbers have increased by over 183 per cent since 2021.
During the forum, Mr Jessup explained that forecasts beyond 2026 for Qfly within the GMV and broader Victoria were of significant concern, without a high input area wide management program needed to sustain fruit fly numbers. As a best case scenario, Mr Jessup is forecasting an increase of over 205 per cent and a worst case scenario of over 600 per cent by 2026, without an effective area wide management program within the GMV. It is expected that Qfly numbers would then continue to increase.
Attendees also outlined their significant concerns regarding the conclusion of the GMV Fruit Fly Management Program should the Victorian Government not commit funds beyond June 2025. There was common agreement that this could greatly affect livelihoods throughout the region and create a dent in horticulture within the GMV.
"The Victorian Government have a great opportunity to fund a program that is already established within the Goulburn Murray Valley. The program has proven that it can effectively manage and control fruit fly numbers when adequately funded by the Victorian Government," Mr Jessup said.
"The Victorian Government seems to be willing to take a big risk by not supporting a management program that will control fruit fly within a region as prolific in growing and exporting fruit such as the GMV. Supporting a $1million dollar program to protect horticulture valued at over $1.6billion is incredibly compelling."
The presentations delivered by both Mr Jessup and Professor Taylor at the forum were recorded and will be made available to the broader community to further educate them on Qfly.
Additional information:
Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) is a recognised phytosanitary procedure for pest management under the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs). It is a sterilisation technique that can provide effective control of target insect populations such as fruit flies.
