improved market access opportunities, avoided QFF management and disinfestation costs, and improved fruit quality and shelf life condition. Growers within the Pest Free Place of Production are free to ship to QFF sensitive markets in SA, WA and Tas. The PFPP has provided significant benefits to YV fruit industries, with in excess of $2 million of fruit traded from the region to QFF domestic markets in 2014/15 under PFPP certification. Funding was secured until May 2017 to continue to allow for fruit fly trap monitoring and project governance. During this time, industry representatives and government have worked together developing a transition plan so that the PFPP operates as a systems approach, is self-governed and sustainable into the future. A challenge for the region is that only those growers accredited on a PFPP arrangement have restrictions imposed upon them. This includes restrictions on QFF waste disposal, removal of QFF host plants located on the property, and restrictions on QFF host produce that can be received onto the property. These restrictions do not apply to businesses who choose not to participate in the program. These non-participating businesses and their current practices may pose a risk to the PFPP program. Horticultural businesses not participating in the PFPP will also suffer from the damage, losses, and increased costs associated with Queensland Fruit Fly if it becomes present and established in the region. Keeping the Yarra Valley fruit fly free is essential to the success of the PFPP, and the economic viability of Yarra Valley horticultural industry and the shire as a whole. The establishment of fruit fly is a real risk: There are no barriers to movement and many host crops. Degree day modelling shows that 2-3 generations of fruit fly would be expected in the Yarra Valley if it became established, making it unsuitable to marginal fruit fly habitat. Whilst not ideal for fruit fly, numbers could build up very quickly if crops were left hanging after adverse hail or rain events and appropriate orchard hygiene was not observed. Domestic and international market access opportunities Growth in Australian fruit industries is largely contingent on accessing export (domestic and international) markets that are currently restricted due to perceived risks associated with regional QFF status. The CSIRO has submitted a proposal to Agricultural Trade and Market Access Cooperation programme to develop a generic, prototype systems approach for gaining market access by Queensland fruit fly affected commodities. If successful, the Yarra Valley may have international market access without the necessity of an end point treatment, much as Tasmania and the Riverland have today.
improved market access opportunities, avoided QFF management and disinfestation costs, and improved fruit quality and shelf life condition. Growers within the Pest Free Place of Production are free to ship to QFF sensitive markets in SA, WA and Tas. The PFPP has provided significant benefits to YV fruit industries, with in excess of $2 million of fruit traded from the region to QFF domestic markets in 2014/15 under PFPP certification. Funding was secured until May 2017 to continue to allow for fruit fly trap monitoring and project governance. During this time, industry representatives and government have worked together developing a transition plan so that the PFPP operates as a systems approach, is self-governed and sustainable into the future. A challenge for the region is that only those growers accredited on a PFPP arrangement have restrictions imposed upon them. This includes restrictions on QFF waste disposal, removal of QFF host plants located on the property, and restrictions on QFF host produce that can be received onto the property. These restrictions do not apply to businesses who choose not to participate in the program. These non-participating businesses and their current practices may pose a risk to the PFPP program. Horticultural businesses not participating in the PFPP will also suffer from the damage, losses, and increased costs associated with Queensland Fruit Fly if it becomes present and established in the region. Keeping the Yarra Valley fruit fly free is essential to the success of the PFPP, and the economic viability of Yarra Valley horticultural industry and the shire as a whole. The establishment of fruit fly is a real risk: There are no barriers to movement and many host crops. Degree day modelling shows that 2-3 generations of fruit fly would be expected in the Yarra Valley if it became established, making it unsuitable to marginal fruit fly habitat. Whilst not ideal for fruit fly, numbers could build up very quickly if crops were left hanging after adverse hail or rain events and appropriate orchard hygiene was not observed. Domestic and international market access opportunities Growth in Australian fruit industries is largely contingent on accessing export (domestic and international) markets that are currently restricted due to perceived risks associated with regional QFF status. The CSIRO has submitted a proposal to Agricultural Trade and Market Access Cooperation programme to develop a generic, prototype systems approach for gaining market access by Queensland fruit fly affected commodities. If successful, the Yarra Valley may have international market access without the necessity of an end point treatment, much as Tasmania and the Riverland have today.
Yarra_Valley_Regional_Plan_2018-19.docx