Keeping South Australia free from fruit fly protects the state's $1.3 billion horticultural industry from the world’s most economically damaging horticultural pest.
There are permanent restrictions on bringing host produce into South Australia and the Riverland Pest Free Area, as well as restrictions on moving fruit and vegetables within declared fruit fly outbreak areas.
Responses by the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) to fruit fly outbreaks are strengthened by local community support and grower cooperation.
Find out how you can help prevent the spread of fruit fly and protect SA's commercial production of fruit and vegetables.
What you should know
Restricted fruit and vegetables
Some fruit, vegetables, plants, plant products, and other items cannot be brought into South Australia from interstate. Find out what you can and can't bring into South Australia.
Outbreak restrictions
If you live or are travelling through a declared outbreak area, there are restrictions on the movement of certain fruits and vegetables, regardless of their source. Understand what you can and can't do in red outbreak and yellow suspension areas.
Identify fruit fly
Understand how to recognise fruit flies and maggots, and what to do if you spot them.
Home visits
Understand why Fruit Fly Officers inspect backyards in outbreak and others areas.
Latest news
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Creativity and community shine at Riverland Field Days
Riverland Field Days 2025 gave PIRSA’s Fruit Fly Response team the chance to showcase cutting-edge biosecurity measures and connect directly with the local community.
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Access is key to reducing Riverland fruit fly detections
The Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) says that access to a small number of Riverland properties in detection hotspots could be the key to reducing fruit fly populations and protecting the region’s horticulture industry.
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Ceduna on track to be fruit fly free
Ceduna is on track on to be declared free of Mediterranean fruit fly as the final stage of the eradication program gets underway.
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Protect the Riverland and your wallet these school holidays
With school holidays fast approaching, the Department of Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA) is reminding all holidaymakers to help protect the Riverland’s horticulture industry by not bringing restricted produce into the region or risk a $420…
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Make the most of your produce: Fruit fly friendly recipes
Got extra fruit and vegetables from your garden? Don’t let them go to waste! With some simple tips and recipes, you can turn surplus, at-risk produce into jams, dips, bliss balls, and other delicious, fruit fly-friendly treats.
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Don’t bend the rules: Supercars fans urged to leave fruit at home
Motorsport fans heading to The Bend Motorsport Park for the AirTouch 500 Supercars Championship round this weekend are being urged to leave restricted fruit and vegetables at home or risk a $420 fine at quarantine checkpoints.
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Biosecurity in action: Riverland grower leads the way
National Biosecurity Week is a timely reminder that safeguarding our agricultural industries from pests and diseases is everyone’s responsibility.
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Spring cleaning your garden
A healthy garden should reward you with fresh produce. By harvesting and managing your crop, you enjoy what you grow, and help prevent fruit flies in your neighbourhood.
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Aerial release of sterile fruit flies begins over Adelaide
Starting Saturday 9 August 2025, you might notice small planes flying low over parts of Adelaide’s north, east and western suburbs. They’re not spraying, surveying, or fighting fires — they’re dropping sterile fruit flies. Millions of them.
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Sterile fruit flies take flight following early road release
The resumption of the release of millions of sterile Queensland fruit flies across the Riverland will occur from this week to stop fruit fly outbreaks and protect the region.