Victorian and NSW fruit growers have voted to create a new Sunraysia Pest Free Area order for collecting funds to manage fruit fly in the region. Of 460 growers eligible to vote in a recent poll, 371 were in favour of creating a new Greater Sunraysia Pest Free Area Industry Development Order.

The proposed order would see a committee of industry members created to manage prevention and eradication activities. Growers in the area would pay a charge towards these activities if they have at least 150 citrus fruit-bearing trees, or produce at least 1000kg of stonefruit or table grapes a year.

The charge in the first year would be $3 a tonne. Growers would have the opportunity each year to vote on the charge, which can be no greater than $3.50 a tonne. It would be collected at packing sheds for citrus growers and when buying boxes from a box supplier for packing stonefruit and table grapes.

Growers could apply for an exemption from paying the charge if they could prove they do not receive any benefit from the services.

In November last year, the citrus, stonefruit and table grape industries in Sunraysia petitioned Minister for Agriculture Peter Walsh to create an order under the Agricultural Industry Development Act 1990 to help them collect funds to aid management of the devastating pest, which ruins fruit and impacts on the ability of the region to export its produce domestically and overseas.

On July 17, Mr Walsh placed a notice in the Government Gazette advising that a poll would be held on whether to create the order.

The Victorian Electoral Commission posted ballot papers­ to relevant producers on August 6, and the voting period closed on August 29. VEC published the results of the poll in statewide and local newspapers­ on Monday.

Mr Walsh said it was great to see strong recognition of the importance of retaining the pest-free area for domestic and international trade.

“The next step is for the Victorian Government to consult with our NSW counterparts, but I expect a speedy resolution and it is possible the new order could be in place as early as October,” he said.

Victorian Government funding for the PFA will continue. Sunraysia Citrus Growers chairman Vince De Maria said the order was a positive move towards gaining control over fruit fly.

Source - http://www.freshplaza.com/