Up to 40 kilograms of fruit fly host fruit from a location within the 15 kilometre Spreyton Control Area, was seized by Biosecurity Tasmania on Sunday.
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The fruit, understood by The Examiner to include apricots, was being offered for sale at the Wynyard Foreshore Market, in the state’s North West.
A Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment spokeswoman confirmed the fruit was taken back to biosecurity facilities at Stony Rise for disposal.
“As of this weekend, authorised Biosecurity Tasmania officers have been conducting inspections of markets and roadside fruit stalls,” the spokeswoman said.
“Once again, this is a timely reminder to be fruit fly aware and to be vigilant.”
Fruit fly was discovered at Spreyton in January and it is prohibited to move fruit from within the control area.
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Fruit Growers Tasmania president Nick Hansen said these types of situations were how fruit flies can potentially spread.
“If they (the market sellers) knowingly took the risk to bring out fruit from the controlled area then they deserve the full penalties,” he said.
“If they weren't education or weren’t aware of what they were doing then it is a little bit of a different situation.
“This is an extremely serious problem and illegal for a reason, and it is not worth the risk.”
Mr Hansen congratulated Biosecurity Tasmania for their “vigilance and hard work” over the weekend.
“Well done to Biosecurity Tasmania, it was a good move to have officers in the local markets,” he said.
Updates and information are provided on the Biosecurity Tasmania Facebook page and the DPIPWE website, including a full list of host fruits and vegetables.