http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/01/14/2465591.htm

Growers air fruit fly fears

Posted January 14, 2009 10:51:00

Sunraysia fruit growers say they are worried about the potential spread of fruit flies to the region.

Fruit fly larvae has been detected at Griffith and Narrandera in the Riverina over the past fortnight.

The Murray Valley Citrus Board's John Tesoriero says keeping Sunraysia free of fruit flies is important to orange growers exporting produce to Japan.

He says people need to remember not to bring fruit into the district.

"We really need to re-enforce the message 'just don't do it'," Mr Tesoriero said.

"There are fines in place and we've got to protect our very important markets."

http://www.abc.net.au/rural/news/content/200901/s2471773.htm

Plea to tourists to leave fruit behind

Thursday, 22/01/2009

Fruit growers in the New South Wales Riverina are pleading with tourists to leave any fresh fruit - and fruit flies - behind.

The pest hitched a ride into the exclusion zone over summer, imposing movement restrictions for citrus and grape growers around Griffith and Narrandera.

Maryanne Nolan from the Department of Primary Industries says the cost to growers is huge, and so is the fine if you're caught bringing fruit in.

"It is a minimum $200 fine on the spot if you are caught bringing fruit in, but it's up to an $11,000 fine. And, if it's a large volume, we will prosecute," she says.