LOCALS and travellers will no longer be able to use receipts from shops outside the Riverland to bring potential fruit fly host material into the region. 
The State Government will tomorrow introduce a complete ban on host fruit and vegetables being brought to the Riverland by travellers, including fruit purchased from Adelaide shops. 
Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development David Basham said increased measures were necessary due to “ongoing pressure” from fruit fly on the borders of the Riverland and larvae found in interstate fruit.
“Travellers can no longer use a receipt to bring fruit and vegetables into the Riverland that has been purchased in South Australian shops,” Mr Basham said. 
“As we move closer to spring, the Liberal Government will adopt a nothing-left-in-the-locker approach to eradicating fruit fly and keeping the Riverland pest free. 
“Larvae detections in interstate fruit purchased at Adelaide supermarkets this year have proven the inspection regimes in eastern states are not robust enough to fully protect the internationally recognised Riverland pest-free area.
“There is too much interstate fruit entering the Adelaide market and it is impossible to track fruit that has been properly treated once it leaves the supermarket compared to produce that has only been inspected before entering our state.” 
Mr Basham encouraged visitors to support the Riverland economy by purchasing fruit and vegetables from local suppliers. 
“Random roadblock figures this year show around one in 10 travellers continue to flout the law and bring illegal fruit fly host material into the Riverland,” he said. 
“We have no choice but to strengthen the ‘zero tolerance to fruit fly’ policy and impose stricter measures on the entry of fruit into the Riverland to protect communities, jobs and livelihoods. 
“Fresh fruit and vegetables are still available to purchase in Riverland shops, so buy their and support local businesses in the region.
“We are making this change to protect our growers from the scourge of fruit fly, which threatens our $1.3 billion horticulture industry vulnerable to fruit fly.”
Fruit fly host material grown interstate must now also be treated with specific approved treatments before it can be packed and transported for sale in Riverland shops and supermarkets. 
Further information regarding fruit fly outbreaks in the Riverland can be found by visiting the website (fruitfly.sa.gov.au).