Western Australia's mango trade is at risk after Mediterranean fruit flies were discovered at three east Kimberley caravan parks.

Six male fruit flies were detected in traps at three Kununurra caravan parks, triggering a 15-kilometre restriction zone around farms in the Ord River Irrigation Area.

If the flies are not eradicated by late September, it could seriously effect the export of mangoes overseas and interstate, although the Perth market would be unaffected as the flies are already endemic in southern WA.

Department of Agriculture and Food plant biosecurity director John van Schagen said the fruit fly outbreak could potentially impact WA's mango trade.

"There's a national code of practice, which is an agreement between all the states, that once there's an outbreak in an area any produce exported from that, any host material, requires treatment so that impacts on the local industry," he said. "We're negotiating with the other states and the Commonwealth Government in relation to overseas exports."

In WA, Medfly attack all citrus, except some lemons, and thin-skinned stone fruit such as apricots, nectarines and peaches.

"I think mangoes will be coming in the market in September or October. That's another two or three months away, so hopefully we can get on top of the problem," Mr van Schagen said.

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