National Fruit Fly Council

The National fruit Fly Council brings together governments, growers and research funders to oversee implementation of the Strategy and drive delivery of a cost-effective and sustainable approach to managing fruit flies across Australia.

Specifically, the Council:

• Coordinates and provides leadership for fruit fly efforts across Australia, promoting a shared responsibility among key stakeholders for strengthening and harmonising the Australian fruit fly management system
• Maintains the Strategy to present a contemporary view of the direction and key activities necessary to strengthen the capability, capacity and resilience of Australia’s fruit fly management system and for maximising outcomes from RD&E investments
• Advises on the contribution of proposed fruit fly research to the advancement of the Strategy and engages with research groups to understand and stocktake research activities
• Advises on strategic fruit fly management issues and activities, promoting consistency with international standards, minimisation of duplication, and support for Australia’s market access opportunities
• Oversees the implementation of the Strategy, including reviewing and reporting on progress to stakeholders
• Engages with relevant industry, government, research and community stakeholders to develop positions that reflect the national interests in fruit fly management that are integrated into the national biosecurity system
• Reports to Plant Health Committee and Hort Innovation.

The National Fruit Fly Council is convened through Plant Health Australia, the national coordinator of the government-industry partnership for plant biosecurity in Australia.

Members of the National Fruit Fly Council

Membership on the Council has been selected to include representatives from industry, state government, research funding bodies, and the Australian Government. The combined experience of members of the Council ensures that the group understands and considers different crop types and fruit fly management systems from across Australia’s horticulture production regions, as well as research capacity, and market access issues.

Council membership has also been selected to ensure that there is direct experience with the in-field management of both Mediterranean fruit fly and Queensland fruit fly.

The role of Council members is to:

• Build and maintain relationships with government, relevant community stakeholder groups, affected industries and national forums to fulfil the functions of the Council
• Consider: national and international trends; best practice; current industry, government and community capability and experience; scientific knowledge; practicalities; and public opinion
• Advise on the health of the national fruit fly system and issues that need to be addressed to implement the Strategy
• Champion participation and solutions in response to emerging national fruit fly issues within the national biosecurity system.

Communiques from the National Fruit Fly Council

Following each meeting, the Council releases a communique about the topics discussed at the meeting.

Meeting 19, 10-11 September 2019, Adelaide

The National Fruit Fly Council meeting schedule

The Council meets face-to-face four times a year. You can get in contact with the Council via email.