It has been informed recently that the region around 1.5 km near the suburban Ethelton has been declared as quarantine area due to a suspected fruit fly outbreak. People have been urged not to remove fresh fruits from the zone unless and until an eradication of fruit flies is completed.

It has been informed by concerned authorities that fruit flies are attracted towards vegetables and fruits which include capsicums, eggplant, stone fruits, tomatoes, pome fruits, citrus, loquats, chillies and table grapes.

The affected area will remain under observation unless and until the fruit flies are removed from the area. Properties would checked independently by the investigators. It has been advised that people should not travel to South Australia while carrying fruits.

It is believed that if fruit flies are not eradicated from the affected area soon then they could lead the fruit market to a loss of $480 million. Biosecurity SA’s Manager Plant and Food Standards, Geoff Raven, was reported saying: “This is a timely reminder for people not to travel into South Australia with fruit and vegetables. If fruit fly becomes established in South Australia, this could jeopardise markets for our $480 million fresh fruit and vegetable industry”.

The people have been urged to cooperate with the authorities so as to eradicate fruit flies by allowing the authorities to investigate their properties. As fruit flies are suspected responsible for causing lose to fruit and vegetable markets, it has become necessary for the authorities to take immediate action against the fruit flies.

The outbreak of fruit flies was announced when they were found on the peach fruits of Ethelton. It is urged that fruits and vegetable should not be removed from the affected area as the chances of fruit flies being spread to other properties are fairly high.