Government moves to shield Viti Levu from invasive fruit fly

The Government is working on mitigation plans in case the newly detected invasive fruit fly reaches Viti Levu, the country's main island.

Minister for Agriculture and Waterways, Tomasi Tunabuna, said the ministry was preparing control measures to protect the mainland from the Bactrocera facialis fruit fly, which was first detected in the Yasawa islands last week.

“They will be working on how to mitigate impact if it ever reaches Viti Levu,” Mr Tunabuna said today.

“Normally insects are unimaginable. They move at any time. They move at any speed. So, we are now preparing to get control.”

The fruit fly, native to Tonga, was discovered during routine surveillance on Nanuya Island and has since been confirmed on three other islands: Naukacuvu, Narara, and Vomo.

Mr Tunabuna said the pest posed a serious threat to food security and cash crops, particularly chilli, which is one of the fly’s host plants.

The fruit fly damages crop by laying eggs in fruit, causing internal decay and making produce inedible.

Other affected crops include breadfruit, mango, avocado, guava, capsicum and papaya.

The Biosecurity Authority of Fiji and the ministry have activated emergency response measures, including intensive surveillance, mass trapping, and quarantine protocols restricting fruit movement from the Yasawa islands.

“We’ve been successfully controlling the fruit fly that we have up in Rotuma,” Mr Tunabuna said.

“It’s very strict quarantine control measures that our biosecurity is carrying out. So, we expect to have some quarantine measures that will eliminate spread.”

He stressed awareness programmes and training would be key to controlling the outbreak.

Farmers and the public are advised to remain vigilant and report any suspected fruit fly activity.

Reports can be made via the BAF hotline at 5994, or through the nearest BAF or Ministry of Agriculture & Waterways office. For more information, visit http://www.baf.com.fj or follow BAF’s official social media page.

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