Mr McCARTHY - 1998-02-24
Three months after the discovery of an exotic species of fruit fly, thought to be the papaya fruit fly, in Darwin and its suburbs, is he satisfied that the response of Territory government agencies to the outbreak has been adequate and effective? Can he provide an estimate of the cost of the eradication program?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the fruit fly was detected on or about 20 November 1997. It was originally thought to be the papaya fruit fly, but further taxonomic investigation proved it to be the philippinensis fruit fly. The discovery of a single fly would not have warranted much concern. However, 3 flies were caught, indicating an outbreak. We had to notify the federal authorities and institute certain procedures, including the quarantine arrangements that we put in place 50 km from Darwin to ensure that any fruit moving outside the quarantine area was either non-host or had been properly and adequately treated for fruit fly. The reaction of the Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries was nothing short of first-class. I should pay tribute also to the volunteers from the Emergency Service who, in those early days, manned the quarantine barriers.
The campaign is continuing. We will need to maintain the barriers for some months to come, notwithstanding that no fruit fly has been detected in the traps since 26 December. It is not a cheap exercise. We man barriers at airports to ensure that no fruit is carried through. We continue trapping and baiting programs, both through baiting foliage and using cane-ite boxes. The cane-ite box is directed particularly at males. The foliage baits kill both males and females.
These measures are not cheap. The campaign will cost in the order of $7.2m. However, if we compare that with the Queensland experience, where the eradication of the papaya fruit fly cost in excess of $55m, we are getting out of this reasonably well. But for continued surveillance and the maintenance of those traps around Darwin airport, this outbreak may well have gotten out of control, like the one in Cairns where they did not detect the presence of the fruit fly, they believe, for something like 18 months. It has been a salutary lesson. I understand that the level of surveillance at Darwin airport has been increased substantially with
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the return of Mindy and other dogs to supplement that program.
Let me say, in closing, that I congratulate the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Development in particular for faithfully obeying the directions of the quarantine officers at the roadblock on the Arnhem Highway, and all other Territorians who have cooperated willingly with this program, knowing the effect the fruit fly could have on the burgeoning horticultural industry.
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ANSWER
Madam Speaker, the fruit fly was detected on or about 20 November 1997. It was originally thought to be the papaya fruit fly, but further taxonomic investigation proved it to be the philippinensis fruit fly. The discovery of a single fly would not have warranted much concern. However, 3 flies were caught, indicating an outbreak. We had to notify the federal authorities and institute certain procedures, including the quarantine arrangements that we put in place 50 km from Darwin to ensure that any fruit moving outside the quarantine area was either non-host or had been properly and adequately treated for fruit fly. The reaction of the Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries was nothing short of first-class. I should pay tribute also to the volunteers from the Emergency Service who, in those early days, manned the quarantine barriers.
The campaign is continuing. We will need to maintain the barriers for some months to come, notwithstanding that no fruit fly has been detected in the traps since 26 December. It is not a cheap exercise. We man barriers at airports to ensure that no fruit is carried through. We continue trapping and baiting programs, both through baiting foliage and using cane-ite boxes. The cane-ite box is directed particularly at males. The foliage baits kill both males and females.
These measures are not cheap. The campaign will cost in the order of $7.2m. However, if we compare that with the Queensland experience, where the eradication of the papaya fruit fly cost in excess of $55m, we are getting out of this reasonably well. But for continued surveillance and the maintenance of those traps around Darwin airport, this outbreak may well have gotten out of control, like the one in Cairns where they did not detect the presence of the fruit fly, they believe, for something like 18 months. It has been a salutary lesson. I understand that the level of surveillance at Darwin airport has been increased substantially with
Page 14
the return of Mindy and other dogs to supplement that program.
Let me say, in closing, that I congratulate the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Development in particular for faithfully obeying the directions of the quarantine officers at the roadblock on the Arnhem Highway, and all other Territorians who have cooperated willingly with this program, knowing the effect the fruit fly could have on the burgeoning horticultural industry.
Page 15
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016