On 5 May 2010, exotic fruit fly specimens were detected in surveillance traps in the northernmost part of the Limpopo province adjacent to the Zimbabwe border. They were later identified as Bactrocera invadens, a quarantine pest of serious concern to the Southern African region.
A delimiting survey was deployed by Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries directorates Plant Health and Agricultural Product Inspection Services (APIS) on 12 May 2010 to determine the geographical extent of the occurrence.
A risk assessment was conducted and phytosanitary control and containment actions were implemented with immediate effect to control the movement of fruit from the area under delimitation according the provisions of Regulation R110. Further actions may include eradication procedures, pending the final results of the delimiting survey.
Bilateral communications with the relevant technical governmental counterparts in neighbouring countries are underway.
The South African Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries started a national Exotic Fruit Fly Surveillance project in January 2006, when a network of fruit fly traps was set up as an early warning system to detect exotic fruit flies, such as Bactrocera invadens, also known as the Invader fruit fly.
Traps were placed in production areas, alongside road transects, at ports of entry and in urban areas close to municipal garbage dumps, hotels, sports grounds and other strategic places countrywide.
This survey was conducted in close cooperation with various role players over the years, including fruit industry representative bodies, fruit importers and fruit processors.
During 2008, Mozambique, Namibia and Zambia reported the occurrence of the Invader fruit fly in their respective countries. This southern movement and the occurrence of the fruit fly in the territories of several of South Africa's trading partners led to an intensified national surveillance project, especially alongside the northern and eastern borders of South Africa.
The fruit industry was recognised as a key role player to assist with the surveillance. Subsequently, Citrus Research International (CRI), Citrus Growers' Association (CGA), the Deciduous Fruit Producers Trust (DFPT/Hortgro), the South African Table Grape Industry (SATI) and the Subtropical Growers Association became more intensely part of the official national exotic fruit fly detection survey.
For more information contact:
Steve Galane
Tel: 012 319 7960
Fax: 012 319 6943
Cell: 083 635 7346
Issued by: Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
8 June 2010
