Experts warn of fruit fly surge as funding nears end

By Shepparton News

Feb 19, 2025

State Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell urges the Victorian Government to extend fruit fly control funding. Photo by Contributed

State Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell has called on the Victorian Government to extend the Area Wide Management Program funding to curb Queensland fruit fly.

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In her address to parliament on February 18, Ms Lovell highlighted the program’s success in the Goulburn Murray Valley region, noting that fruit fly numbers dropped by 95 per cent in its first year and 60 per cent in its second year. However, she warned that this progress was now at risk due to the program’s lack of ongoing funding.

The government reduced funding for the program in 2020, and since then, fruit fly numbers have started to rise. Ms Lovell raised concerns that the government planned to cease all funding in June.

Fruit fly specialist Andrew Jessup has warned that without continued funding, fruit fly numbers could increase by 200 per cent in the best-case scenario and over 600 per cent in the worst-case scenario.

“The incredible success of the fruit fly management program in northern Victoria is now at risk because the reckless Allan Labor Government plans to end all funding of the program in June this year,” Ms Lovell said.

“Fruit growers invest significantly in managing fruit fly risk on commercial orchards, but there will be a continued and growing threat of fruit flies migrating into orchards without a co-ordinated management program to monitor and contain fly outbreaks on public land and backyard fruit trees.

“The minister for agriculture must support the vitally important horticulture industry, and commit to funding the Queensland fruit fly management program in Victoria beyond 2025.”

The Goulburn Murray Valley’s horticulture industry, which contributes over $1.6 billion in gross regional product, could be significantly impacted by a rise in fruit fly numbers. Industry stakeholders are calling on the government to commit $1 million annually to maintain the program and protect local growers.