The discovery of a single male fruit fly at Mowbray led the opposition to question Biosecurity Tasmania’s handling of the detection, however the Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment department is following standard protocol.
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A department spokesperson said Tasmania’s response to fruit fly detections was guided by a national code of practice.
“In line with this code, a detection of a single adult male fruit fly is not evidence of an outbreak,” the spokesperson said.
“Biosecurity Tasmania is undertaking further surveillance and monitoring, including trapping and inspection of fruit trees in the surrounding area, to determine whether an active population is present.
“Eradication procedures and a control area will only be initiated if an outbreak trigger is reached. At this stage there have been no further detections,” the spokesperson said.
Opposition Primary Industries spokesman Dr Shane Broad said the latest fruit fly detection set off alarm bells.
“This is an unfolding disaster – fruit fly has been found in the North-West, North and in the South,” Dr Broad said.
Johanna Baker-Dowdell
Johanna has more than 22 years experience as a journalist for newspapers, magazines and online publications.
Johanna has more than 22 years experience as a journalist for newspapers, magazines and online publications.
