Fruit bin protocol
QFF CONTROL
FRUIT BIN PROTOCOL – FOR MOVEMENT OF BINS
PREAMBLE
Citrus South Australia believes that one of the biggest risks to ongoing Fruit Fly incursion is trucks picking up/delivering bins from an interstate origin. The fact is several Outbreaks over the years and specifically in the last five years are linked to bins from interstate
Currently the protocol requires that all bins be thoroughly clean and free of fruit and checked before being returned to SA from fruit fly endemic locations.
The current onus is on the processors, packers and transport operators to ensure compliance with the protocol.
UNIQUE HIGH RISK
Fruit Fly are notorious hitchhikers
Transport units [trailers] that have delivered fruit interstate and picked up empty bins for the return trip, are likely to still contain the aroma of fruit at sufficient level to attract fruit fly hitchhikers in general and especially while open and loading.
These flies are likely to leave the truck/trailer units at the empty bin drop off points; particularly if the site is an orchard of ripe fruit; or packing shed that is processing fruit.
HOW TO MITIGATE THIS RISK
1. At every bin drop off point, place 6 AKD’s around the drop off point with Male and Female attractants
2. AKDs are available at your Chemical reseller or in most situations from PIRSA. They are effective for around three months. Both traps contain a lure with MAT cups (for male flys) delivering poison and Fruition (for female flys) having a sticky surface
3. The orchard/grower will be responsible, for the maintenance of the AKDs on the loading pad
4. The placement of AKDs to also apply to bin drop offs from within the PFA. (SA packers)
5. Packer/processors within the PFA are required to adopt, as continuous standard practice, the deployment of AKDs surrounding the packing shed/complex; and/or processing site. This deployment strategy must ensure that AKDs are regularly replaced when they reached the end of their effective life.
5 We recommend that diary records be logged and kept for every bin drop off site. Noting the date of the bin drop off and AKD deployment with the objective of keeping the AKDs up to date and effective.