Western Australia has been declared free of Queensland fruit fly (Qfly) following an eight-month eradication response in Perth's southern suburbs.
Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis confirmed the state has regained area freedom from the pest, which was first detected in Willagee and Palmyra in November 2024 through routine monitoring of surveillance traps.
Queensland fruit fly is considered one of the most damaging plant pests, attacking more than 300 species of fruit and fruiting vegetables, including avocados, chilli, tomato, and capsicum. Western Australia's horticulture sector is valued at AU$1.49 billion (US$983 million), and the establishment of Qfly would have threatened access to export and domestic markets, as well as impacting household production.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development led the eradication program with support from residents, local governments, and the Perth Markets. More than 12,000 properties were visited, over 10,500 lures deployed, and almost 600 fruit samples collected for testing. The quarantine zone extended 15 kilometres from the detection point in Willagee, spanning 22 local government areas.
Residents assisted by stripping and disposing of home-grown fruit and avoiding the movement of fruit or plant material outside the quarantine area.
Minister Jarvis acknowledged the role of local communities and businesses: "This achievement is thanks to an enormous effort by residents, businesses, and local governments in our southern suburbs, along with the Perth Markets, who faced several quarantine restrictions to ensure we could eradicate this pest as quickly as possible. This is the tenth time Qfly has been successfully eradicated from the Perth metropolitan area since the 1980s."
The lifting of the Quarantine Area Notice means residents and businesses will no longer be subject to movement controls on fruit and vegetables.
The announcement comes ahead of National Biosecurity Week, which runs from 25 to 31 August and highlights the importance of community involvement in protecting agriculture from pests and diseases. Minister Jarvis encouraged continued vigilance: "I encourage all Western Australians to remain vigilant and continue to report any unusual animal or plant pests via the MyPestGuide Reporter app. The quicker we identify a pest or disease, the better chance we have of containing and eradicating it."
For more information:
Government of Western Australia
Tel: +61 8 9368 3127
Email: [email protected]
www.wa.gov.au