This document discusses the development of a national fruit fly research, development and extension plan in Australia. It notes that fruit flies significantly impact the horticulture industry, costing over $270 million annually. It outlines that a national strategy and implementation plan have already been developed. A writing group is creating a 20-year RD&E plan to support a coordinated national approach to managing fruit flies. Regional workshops were held between June and August 2015 to identify research priorities. The goal is to reduce treatment costs, improve fruit fly control programs, and facilitate domestic and international trade of Australian horticultural products.

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Fruit Fly Research - A National
Approach
Darryl Barbour
National Manager – Fruit Fly Council, PHA
Plant Biosecurity Cooperative Research Centre
The National Fruit Fly Research
Development and Extension Plan

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The diversity of Australian horticulture

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What is the problem?
Approximately 75% of Australian
horticulture exports are susceptible to
fruit fly.
Exports valued at over $640m.
Domestic trade over $1b.
In-field baiting and sprays $270/ha.
Post harvest treatments $62/t.
Impacts are across industry and
government “boundaries”.

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What is the problem?
The case for coordination and
collaboration is clear…
 National Fruit Fly Strategy (2008)
 NFFS Implementation Action Plan
(2010)
 Benefit-cost analysis of the NFFS
Action Plan (2012)
… and requires commitment to and
prioritisation of policies and appropriate
RD&E that maximises impact.

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What are we doing about it?
NFFS Advisory Committee – May 2014.
PBCRC – role in coordinating a national
approach to fruit fly research and
enhancing capacity.
Formation of a writing Group to
develop the RD&E Plan.
Intent to capture all potential research
areas and highlight specific projects.
A basis for prioritisation and action.

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How will this work be delivered?
RD&E Plan released June 2015.
Regional workshops July-August 2015.
Working to understand the pressures
and key priorities.
Key documents for the National Fruit
Fly Council.
List of priorities by research type,
owner and beneficiary being
developed. Will also cover key policy
developments.

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Who will benefit from this research?
End-users
 National Fruit Fly Council
 Industries and peak industry bodies
 Researchers and research funders
 Commercial pest controllers, advisors and suppliers
Beneficiaries
 All fruit fly affected industries
 Researchers and research funders
 Members of the community – backyard horticulture
 Export chain
 Horticultural consumers
 Trade negotiators

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Benefit for our horticultural industries
The goal of the RD&E Plan aligns with that of the NFFS:
A 20-year RD&E Plan that supports a viable, cost-effective and
sustainable national approach to managing fruit flies – including
endemic, established and exotic species.
By… ensuring the short term delivery of priority research
 Control “post” dimethoate and fenthion
 Area wide management approaches
 New lures, SIT, disinfestation
And… building the case and support strategic research,
capacity and “core science”
 Fruit fly phenology, behavior and modelling

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Benefit for our horticultural industries
Reducing the cost of treatments.
Developing the confidence and evidence base for fruit fly
control programs.
Increased marketability of fruit and improving access to
domestic and international markets.
Even modest improvements in fruit fly control could have
big financial benefits.
 $50+m in field control costs
 $25+m in post harvest treatments

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End-User Advocate’s Perspective
Regional consultation and endorsement of the plan
 June - August 2015 regional workshops/consultations held across
eight different jurisdictions: SA, WA, Qld., NT, NSW, Vic., Tas.,
National (Department of Agriculture and Water Resources).
 81 people consulted from horticultural industries, government and
research.
 Identified and collated regional strategic priorities across five RD&E
areas in the Plan: Coordination; Extension, community and capacity;
Controlling fruit flies; Trade and market access; Future issues.

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Future
Seeking to influence the research agenda
and engage the experts in prioritisation.
Review of current research and delivery.
Identifying the benefits of investments.
Maintaining capacity, expertise and
funding.
Prioritisation, progress, and
achievements captured within the
National Fruit Fly Action Plan.

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Thank you
 For more information, please email
dbarbour@phau.com.au
Prof. Anthony Clarke – Queensland University of Technology /
PBCRC
Pat Barkley – Citrus expert
Kim James – Ashmere Consulting
Dr. Jo Luck – PBCRC
Dr. Michael Robinson – PBCRC
Prof. Phil Taylor – Macquarie University
PBCRC is established and supported under
the Australian Government Cooperative
Research Centres Programme