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Breakthrough protocol boosts exports for Yarra Valley fruit growers

Berry and cherry growers in the Yarra Valley can now export produce without fruit fly treatment to interstate markets, the first arrangement of its kind in Australia.

According to weeklytimesnow, the breakthrough protocol came into effect in January and the first fruit was sent to South Australia in February.

Accredited growers in the region can now access fruit fly sensitive markets in Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania as well as others across the country.

The Pest-Free Places of Production (PFPP) will be announced by the Victorian government today (16 April), and while the protocol applies only to domestic exports at the moment, the industry is keen to expand it to include international markets.

Development of the protocol was initiated by an incident last year which saw the Queensland fruit fly (QFF) being declared endemic in Victoria. As a result, fruit exported to QFF sensitive states had to undergo disinfestation treatment, and representatives of the fruit growing sector approached the Department of Environment and Primary Industries. The PFPP was then put together.

The Yarra Valley PFPP is funded by the Yarra Valley berry and cherry industries together with Horticulture Australia Limited, Agribusiness Yarra Valley and the Victorian government.

 

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