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waterboy 2.0

Fruit fly incursion Tasmania

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Spose tassies quarantine efforts are going to be way over the top now :(

- good in hopes to get rid of the fruit fly

- bad for trying to recieve seeds etc 

Edited by Dicko

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Dont import fruit, meth or skunk:wink:Our winter climate currently should kill them off.... For now...Still doesn't stop this incursion losing some markets


Be aware there are changes afoot though, there is some relevance to the new act that's getting moved on..There be dragons.

 

http://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/biosecurity-tasmania/about-biosecurity-tasmania/biosecurity-legislation-review/draft-biosecurity-bill/draft-biosecurity-bill-information-package

 

Edit - in a nutshell seeds will need to be permitted in the future... "please sir can I import (x) seeds.

 

You dont need permission now to order trichocereus seeds from EG in Germany as an example right now. They are legal and currently not prohibited at national or state level.

 

You legally cannot import seeds that are Prohibited listed ( or illegal in other Acts) . But you didn't need to be permitted to

order non-prohibited seed. You got no problem.

 

The onus is gonna change, that changes the game for Tassie folk that work with plants.

Edited by waterboy 2.0

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Don't import anything! You don't realise how bad life is without stone-fruit.

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Nah, it's affected fruit and hosts thats off the menu. We need new genetics...

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9451826-3x2-460x307.jpg

 

Revised "control zone" 15th Feb to take it eastward to Port Sorell

 

If the recent George Town specimen is confirmed that boundary is heading east dramatically

Edited by waterboy 2.0
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http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2018-02-18/fruit-fly-chemicals-blamed-for-sickness/9459634

 

Fruit fly fumigation halted after Tasmanian biosecurity workers fall ill


By Rhiannon Shine
Updated about an hour ago


An adult fruit fly.
Photo

The union says workers face an anxious wait for blood test results. Biosecurity Tasmania

 

The Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (DPIPWE) has suspended fumigation at a fruit fly control zone while it investigates concerns four of its staff may have been exposed to the potentially dangerous pesticide methyl bromide.

 

Biosecurity workers have been working to contain a fruit fly outbreak in Tasmania following the discovery of larvae and adult fruit flies found in apricots at Spreyton, soon after the pest was detected on Flinders Island.

 

Last week Biosecurity Tasmania was conducting tests on a suspected male fruit fly found at George Town in Tasmania's north — well east of the edge of the control zone.

 

Now the DPIPWE has been forced to suspend its fumigation activities, after four staff fell ill.

 

In a statement, a DPIPWE spokeswoman said the incident happened at the fumigation site set up at Devonport in northern Tasmania.

"DPIPWE has voluntarily suspended fumigation activities until further notice while the investigation is underway," the spokeswoman said.

"Four DPIPWE staff were potentially exposed to methyl bromide during fumigation work on Tuesday 13 February.

 

"DPIPWE reported the incident to WorkSafe Tasmania and the CPSU [Community and Public Sector Union] on the morning of Wednesday 14 February after two staff reported feeling unwell.

 

"DPIPWE has commenced its own investigation into the incident."
Union warns against exposure to methyl bromide

 

The CPSU's Tom Lynch said the workers had been at the Devonport Airport where a contractor was fumigating fruit from the control zone.

"This was the site that had been set up so that fruit could be fumigated and taken out of the control zone," he said.

"One of them reported to Mersey Hospital and was kept in overnight for observations. The others, as I understand it, attended their doctors.

"All of them have been blood tested. I understand blood tests will show if they have been exposed to methyl bromide."

 

Mr Lynch said the symptoms had passed, but the workers faced an anxious wait for test results.

 

"Unfortunately it will take three weeks for those tests to come back, so in the meantime you have a group of workers that are going to sit and worry about whether they have actually been exposed," he said.

"It is now about whether they were exposed, the degree of the exposure and whether there are long-term risks to them.

 

    "You don't want to expose yourself to any chemical, and methyl bromide is one of those chemicals you want to avoid at all costs."

( that's a quote for the year....)

 

DPIPWE 'unprepared': union

Mr Lynch said the DPIPWE had been unprepared for the fruit fly outbreak.

"I think at the end of the day it will be found that the [fruit fly response] arrangements were probably all a little bit rushed," he said.

"We have been complaining for a long time that Biosecurity is understaffed.

    "I think under-resourcing in Biosecurity is partly to blame for the fruit fly incursion in the first place, and for the effectiveness of the response.

"This incursion is getting worse at this stage, not better."

 

 

Ive had the" joy" of the fear that comes from handling methyl bromide.....

You don't Fck with it...It's insidious. A biocide that fcks the atmosphere to boot.

 

Fckn clowns.... Heads should roll

Edited by waterboy 2.0
Fcks and fckd
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The shits really about to hit....

Northern%20Tasmania%20Control%20Area_jpg

 

http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2018-02-20/fruit-fly-control-zone-extended-after-larvae-found-george-town/9467658

 

Tasmanian fruit fly control zone extended after larvae found in George Town


Updated 12 minutes ago
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A fruit fly warning sign being erected on the roadside near Devonport, north Tasmania.
Photo

 

Five adult fruit flies have been found around George Town.

ABC News: Tim Morgan

 

Tasmania's fruit fly exclusion zone has been expanded to the north-east, after five adult flies and larvae were found in fruit in George Town.

 

The discovery further threatens the state’s fruit fly-free status, which it relies on to export fruit to key markets in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Japan.

Biosecurity Tasmania general manager Lloyd Klumpp said the George Town discovery indicated an active population in the area.

 

"Following the detection of a single adult fly last week in the state-wide surveillance trap monitoring program, the department immediately implemented an intensive surveillance program, including inspection of fallen fruit and the placement of additional traps around the detection site," he said.

 

"This monitoring has identified four additional fruit flies and larvae which indicates we have an active population in the vicinity of this site."

 

Dr Klumpp said the control area in the north of the state would be required to be increased from the current area to include the northern coastal area to Beechford and Lefroy, Rowella, Sidmouth and to Kimberley in the south.

 

He said Biosecurity Tasmania had already begun implementing control measures at the site, and would be talking directly to surrounding landholders about the detection, what was being undertaken and how they could assist the work.

 

"We recognise that the implementation of this new control area impacts on both industry and the wider community. However, we want to acknowledge the industry and community vigilance and support that has been provided so far and encourage you to continue to work with us as we undertake this work."

 

Biosecurity has been in contact with affected stakeholders such as Wine Tasmania, Fruit Growers Tasmania and the Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association, as well as other produce growers within the new exclusion zone.

More to come.

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http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2018-02-21/fruit-fly-infested-nectarines-from-victoria-enter-tasmania/9471474?pfmredir=sm

 

Fruit fly-infested produce from mainland sparks Tasmanian biosecurity alert.


Updated about an hour ago
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Video 1:03

 

New fruit-fly find sparks produce recall ABC News

A Tasmania-wide alert has been issued after a nectarine certified as being "fruit fly-free" was found infested with larvae in Devonport, sparking a recall of that supplier's produce from the shelves of retail outlets across the state.

Biosecurity authorities detected fruit fly activity in Tasmania in January.
Biosecurity Tasmania

 

Tasmanian consumers have been told if they already have fruit and vegetables at home they are safe to consume, but if being disposed should be "double wrapped in plastic bags before going into the bin".

 

It means any apples, apricots, bananas, blackberries, capsicums, cherries, figs, grapefruit, mulberries, nashies, nectarines, oranges, peaches, peaches, pears, plums, raspberries, strawberries and tomatoes in Tasmania that have passed through the Victorian facility must be withdrawn from sale in Tasmania.

 

Authorities are yet to name the Victorian facility and it is not yet known if Victorian produce will also be affected.

 

Minister for Primary Industries, Jeremy Rockliff, described the apparent failure of mainland authorities to catch the infected produce before it arrived in Tasmania as "frustrating".

 

    "We will get to the bottom of exactly where the system failure occurred in terms of the fruit fly certification process and yes, it's frustrating," he said today.

 

For every new detection of larvae or adult flies, Tasmania's produce growers face a reset back to a three-month waiting period to discover if the species had taken hold and spread.

The movement of fruit between the states relies on the Interstate Certification Arrangements, and Biosecurity Tasmania said it had a system of audits and checks in place.

In a statement, Biosecurity Tasmania said the nectarine from Victoria was detected as part of its standard operations.

 

The development is a dramatic escalation of the emergency, with the pest first being detected as larvae in apricots in a backyard garden at Spreyton, in Tasmania's north in January.

 

A control zone and trapping was put in place at Spreyton, restricting the movement of produce. A second control zone was implemented after the detection of larvae on Flinders Island.

 

The control zone and eradication measures were expanded after adult flies were found in other locations.

Tasmania's fruit and vegetable producers have expressed fears the detections could impact on the lucrative interstate and Asian export markets and, if the fruit fly takes hold, potentially affect a large number of fruit industry jobs.

 

Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association CEO Peter Skillern said there would be "some questions for the Victorians to answer specifically about that fumigation facility and about its efficacy".

 

    "Biosecurity Tasmania have taken what we consider to be an appropriate and proactive response, which is to remove any fruit and vegetables which has been through that same facility from supermarket shelves in Tasmania."

 

Double-wrap before disposing of produce

"For people who already have fruit and vegetables at home the message is simple — you can cook it or eat it but when you dispose of it, it must be double wrapped in plastic bags before going in the bin," Biosecurity Tasmania advised in its press release today.
 

"Do not compost or dump it. There is no need to return it to the grocery store from where you bought it from."

Authorities have said people were more likely to see fruit fly maggots (larvae) than actual flies.

 

"Fruit fly larvae look like blowfly maggots. Mature fruit fly larvae are 8-11 millimetres in length and 1.2-1.5mm in width. They are usually easy to see in the flesh of the fruit."

Biosecurity Tasmania said a key sign of fruit fly is a series of "stings" visible on the outside of the fruit.

 

A "sting" is a puncture mark caused when a female adult lays eggs into the fruit.

"If you open up the 'sting' carefully with a sharp knife, you should see a cavity containing eggs or the debris of hatched eggs — you would probably need a magnifying glass to see it," the advice said.

 

People who live within the declared control areas must not sell or give host fruit to others while the restrictions are in place.

 

"Homegrown host fruit should not be moved from your home. This is to reduce the risk of it accidentally being transported outside the control area," Biosecurity Tasmania advised.

 

There is no restriction for consuming homegrown host fruit at home, as long as it is not moved from the property to somewhere outside the control areas.

Biosecurity Tasmania said the latest development "reinforces the important message to all Tasmanians — be vigilant for signs of fruit fly" and urged people to report all suspect fruit fly activity on (03) 6165 3774.

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Detection within Launceston Taswegians ....

http://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/biosecurity-tasmania/plant-biosecurity/pests-and-diseases/fruit-fly

 

 

Fruit Fly Detection - Update 9 April 2018

 

The detection of one male fruit fly at Mowbray in the State's north is being investigated by the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (DPIPWE).

 

The detection of a single male fruit fly does not constitute an outbreak and does not require a control zone at Launceston. However it is important that any detections are thoroughly investigated to try and identify the source of the fly.

 

Currently surveillance traps are being installed by Biosecurity Tasmania around the area as well as following up with the landholder and neighbouring property owners to try and determine the source of this detection. That includes undertaking traceback of produce that may have been brought on site or neighbouring sites, as well as surveillance of any host produce plants in surrounding gardens.

 

The detection was made from a public report at Mowbray.

 

Community support and vigilance to the threat of fruit fly has been outstanding. Departmental entomologists have received hundreds of reports from the public – with almost all of them being negative. However this detection highlights the importance of all possible reports being made and investigated.

 

This report was made by a member of the public who captured the fly inside their house.

 

Preliminary surveillance has not identified any current fruiting trees on the property but Biosecurity Tasmania are checking surrounding properties as well.

 

Outside this current investigation, work is ongoing on the fruit fly response. Prior to the Mowbray detection, the detection early last week was within the already infected area at George Town. No changes have been made to the Control Area in place on Flinders Island or the Northern Tasmania Control Area.

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Hi WB, whats your opinion of irradiation as a control measure for fruit coming in to Tas or elsewhere for that matter? Panacea or just more problems?

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First up "radiation"is a concerning thing for many. There's been consumer backlash in places on perceived affects. 

 

They expose it to the radiation emission, there's no residual radiation.It doesn't become a source. Biggest problem would be the emitting facility and being exposed to stray emissions or source materials. 

 

Safer than methyl bromide. Not everything can be fumigated for pest and disease. 

 

We are bound internationally to scale back methyl bromide soon as a atmospheric polluting biocide, so we need alternatives. 

 

That's my quck bent:wink: id prefer to eat irradiated over methyl bromide, it's gonna come at an additional cost I reckon. 

 

 

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Fruit fly detected on Flinders Island off north-east Tasmanian coast

An adult fruit fly.
IMAGEThe state has been on alert since a larvae-infested nectarine was found in February.(Biosecurity Tasmania)

Biosecurity authorities in Tasmania are ramping up fruit fly control measures after the discovery of another adult fly on Flinders Island.

The male fly was discovered in a trap at Lady Barron, a few hundred metres from a previously-affected property.

Flinders Island was the first area in the state where Queensland fruit fly was detected in January, before other incursions were discovered in Spreyton, Devonport and George Town.

Biosecurity Tasmania general manager Lloyd Klumpp said the new fruit fly was found late last week.

"Following the detections on Flinders Island earlier this year we have an ongoing response on the island," Dr Klumpp said.

"As part of our surveillance involved in the response, a single adult male was detected in one of our traps within a few hundred metres of a previous detection site earlier this year."

This article contains content that is only available in the web version.

Dr Klumpp said eradication activities would resume around the detection site.

The latest discovery means the current control area restrictions on Flinders Island will be extended until at least March.

 

Control zones in mainland northern Tasmania will not be affected, and control measures there are expected to be lifted on January 9 if there are no new detections.

Those measures include fruit not being allowed out of restriction zones due to the risk of the pest spreading.

"We remain confident that we can eradicate fruit fly from Flinders Island and all of Tasmania and remain focussed on this goal," Dr Klumpp said.

 

https://amp.abc.net.au/article/10627274

 

 

Alright guys.... Hang onto your hard hats... I'm expecting this to get outta hand again. 

 

Biosecurity clowns are about to get toey again, which is worth noting :wink:

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