Welcome again to the latest edition of the Prevent fruit fly newsletter.

It’s been a busy year, with much of the National Fruit Fly Council’s (NFFC) activity focused on the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF)-funded fruit fly economic analysis project delivered in collaboration with the Centre for International Economics (CIE). The project team have been busy working with industry, government and the research community to better understand the true economic impact of fruit flies and what is the return on investment from current management activities, both on and off farm.

This analysis will help identify where limited resources should be directed and inform the development of the next National Fruit Fly Strategy (NFFS). It is intended that the findings will guide future government and industry investment, ensuring resources are targeted to deliver the greatest value for industry.

Plant Health Australia facilitated a fruit fly economic analysis workshop in Canberra on 11-12 June. The workshop aimed to provide further data to the CIE for the fruit fly economic analysis project. You can read more about the workshop and its outcomes here.

Building on this momentum, the NFFC have begun organising a series of regional workshops to better understand industry concerns and priorities. The workshops will test the preliminary economic analysis and gather input on what stakeholders need to see in the next NFFS.

Workshops will be held on the Gold Coast on 31 July and in Mildura on 11 August, with a further session planned for southern Western Australia later in August. If you would like your views to be considered in the next Strategy, we encourage you to register and take part. Find out more about the workshops and how you can register.

For those unable to attend in person, a webinar will also be held later in the year to ensure everyone has an opportunity to contribute.

On 1 July 2026, the Biosecurity Portal was decommissioned as part of a transition to more sustainable, supported systems. Content from the Fruit Fly Body of Knowledge is being migrated to PHA managed platforms. There has been no loss of data, and materials will continue to be accessible as needed. If you require access to Fruit Fly Body of Knowledge content, please contact admin@phau.com.au. More information is available in the Biosecurity Portal decommission update.

This edition also includes a profile of Dr Patsavee Utaipanon (Hort Innovation), who has recently joined the NFFC, along with an update from the Fresh and Secure Trade Alliance (FASTA) on future fruit fly management.

The NFFC looks forward to working with stakeholders across industry, government and research to support a coordinated and effective national approach to fruit fly management.

Dr Steve Quarrell

Manager, National Fruit Fly Council