‘Not a happy bunch’ following fruit fly funding cut in budget

Cobram & District Fruit Growers Association general manager Karen Abberfield said the group hadn’t received written confirmation of the continuation of the Area Wide Management Program, but said it would continue past June 30.

“We have been advised that there will be funding for the next couple of years,” Mrs Abberfield said.

“We know it is a massive decrease on what we have asked for.”

The program asked the government for a commitment of $1 million each year, and although second year funding is unannounced, the first year’s funding is a third of what they asked for.

Greater Shepparton City Council confirmed the program will receive $320,000 in the first year (2025-26).

“We have put forward a very, very detailed report from our country’s expert on fruit fly, who had explained very clearly to government the correlation between the amount of money we spend on fruit fly control and the amount of success we have,” Mrs Abberfield said.

“We’ve proven that over a number of years, and our funding for the last two years has been cut back significantly each time and as the funding has been cut back, our results have reduced in quality.

“We know that we’re getting much, much less than we have asked for, and we’re really, really disappointed in that.”

She said the effects of the program’s reduced funding would impact the community.

“The community will be less informed, and they will be less engaged.

“Our volunteers in particular who have been phenomenal ... they’re pretty disengaged, they're pretty fed up, and this will just give them another bit of a kick.

“Our massive concern is for the amount of land under government control — whether it’s parks, roadsides, railway, national state parks — that's all habitat for fruit fly, and we’re concerned, with Victoria’s ability and Victoria's preparedness to maintain that.

“We’re not a very happy bunch.”

Fruit Growers Victoria growers services manager Michael Crisera said the funding wasn’t enough.

“FGV is disappointed that the state government doesn’t recognise the enormity of the issue of fruit fly throughout Victoria,” Mr Crisera said.

“We need to continue a concerted effort to push for funding from not only the state government but also the current Federal Government.

“Not enough of national biosecurity funding is allocated to the biggest export horticulture exporting state in Australia, unmanaged fruit fly in Victoria will ultimately impact other states trying to eradicate the pest.

“Victoria really needs to look seriously at establishing an SIT [Sterile Insect Technology] facility for not only fruit fly but also codling moth so that it can be a viable financial option for pest control within orchards and urban areas close to orchards.”

Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor Shane Sali said Greater Shepparton was the food bowl of Australia “and the impact of this program failing to continue could be catastrophic to our region’s horticulture and agriculture industries”.

Country News reached out to the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action to confirm a dollar figure.

“Further funding in the Victorian Budget 2025-26 will make sure these groups can deliver fruit fly management education and strengthen community and landholders’ understanding of how to best manage fruit flies on their property,” a Victorian Government spokesperson said.

“The Victorian Government is supporting the Goulburn Murray Valley, Sunraysia and Yarra Valley Queensland Fruit Fly Governance Groups to design and deliver long-term QFF management programs, placing them in a position to limit the impact of pests on surrounding commercial growers.

“These regions have some of Victoria’s most significant horticultural areas. Focusing on these regions ensures continued trade opportunities for Victoria’s fruit and vegetable export markets.”

Mrs Abberfield said the government would see the effects of fruit fly on both fruit quality and quantity.

“They haven’t given us enough,” she said.

“If you want beautiful, fresh, home-grown fruit, if you want beautiful commercial fruit, you can’t just shut your eyes and hope it’ll go away.”