Fruit fly restrictions for growers and producers
Growers and producers must understand and follow outbreak restrictions and conditions for any restricted fruit and vegetables that they grow, sell or pack.
Check the outbreak map to see if your business is in a fruit fly affected area (Controlled Movement Zone, or CMZ).
Vineyards and wineries in Riverland Controlled Movement Zones must be managed according to the 2022–23 guidelines () that have been developed with Vinehealth Australia.
Movement controls for restricted fruit and vegetables
Find out how a fruit fly outbreak is declared and eradicated.
Red outbreak area (Corrective Action Zone, or CAZ)
Growers and producers within a red outbreak area (Corrective Action Zone, or CAZ) can't move restricted fruit and vegetables from any property without PIRSA approving it first. This includes if you're sending to a packing shed or treatment facility, or to a non-sensitive market.
Yellow suspension area (Export Assurance Zone, or EAZ)
Growers and producers within a yellow suspension area (Export Assurance Zone, or EAZ) can move without restrictions within the Export Assurance Zone if sending to a packing shed or treatment facility. Before selling your produce within the area or removing from the Export Assurance Zone, PIRSA must approve it first, and you may be required to apply an approved treatment.
How growers and producers can move restricted fruit and vegetables during an outbreak
Restrictions can vary according to where your restricted fruit and vegetables are grown, packed, markets being sold to or travel routes.
You must apply the movement controls before moving restricted fruit and vegetables.
In addition, you must:
- understand the markets you're selling to and restrictions
- apply treatments as a requirement of the area you're sending to; and
- secure your produce when treating and transporting.
How transporters can travel through affected areas
If you're a transporter carrying restricted fruit and vegetables, find out how to meet the transport requirements during a fruit fly outbreak, if you're travelling or your depots are impacted by these areas.
How long are restrictions in place?
Domestically, the area freedom status is typically reinstated once the eradication program has been completed and restrictions have lifted. The receiving market decides reinstatement. Once restrictions are lifted, PIRSA will notify accredited businesses as to which markets are again accepting the area free status.
Areas not affected by fruit fly
If you're sending fruit and vegetables interstate from outside the fruit fly affected area (Controlled Movement Zone, or CMZ), you won't need to apply any additional treatments. Your fruit and vegetables can only travel through Controlled Movement Zones if you meet secure conditions.
There may be other requirements for sending produce interstate for other pests and diseases. Contact PIRSA Plant Health Operations Market Access or the receiving state for more information.
For produce exported internationally from unaffected parts of the Riverland Pest Free Area (Fruit Fly Pest Free Area, or FF-PFA), the federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) may require an accompanying Property Freedom Certificate issued by PIRSA.
Contact the Industry Fruit Fly Hotline early as these certificates may take a couple of days to be processed.
Costs
PIRSA has waived the costs associated with accreditation, certification, inspections, and audits during the current fruit fly outbreaks for businesses that are directly impacted by the restrictions. Although PIRSA is not passing on any costs, the business may experience costs associated with applying required treatments, arranging secure transport, or any other required changes to their established processes.
Disposing of fruit and vegetable waste
Find out how to dispose of unwanted restricted fruit and vegetables.