Work is underway on the development of the next National Fruit Fly Strategy (NFFS), with the National Fruit Fly Council (NFFC) focused on ensuring future investment is guided by evidence, cost-effectiveness and long-term industry needs. In a recent interview with ABC Riverland, NFFC Manager Dr Stephen Quarrell shared insights on the challenges facing fruit fly management in Australia, the importance of economic analysis to inform investment, and the mix of tools will be needed to shape the next decade of action.

Listen: Stephen Quarrell’s interview with ABC Riverland 5 May 2026 (opens in new window)

With the previous strategy concluding in 2025, work is now underway to develop a new framework that will guide future research, development and extension priorities over the next decade.

Dr Quarrell said the timing presents an important opportunity to reassess both the impacts of fruit fly and the effectiveness of current management approaches.

“Fruit fly continues to pose a significant risk to production, trade and market access for many horticultural industries,” he said. “As export values grow, the economic consequences of losing access to key markets also increase.”

As part of the strategy’s development, an updated economic analysis is being undertaken to better understand both the cost of fruit fly to the Australian economy and the return on investment from different management options. While similar analyses have been conducted in the past, Dr Quarrell noted that industry values, production systems and trade dynamics have changed substantially over the last decade.

“Some fruit fly-impacted industries are now worth well over a billion dollars, with hundreds of millions in exports each year,” he said. “Understanding the cost-benefit of different management tools is essential if we’re going to direct limited resources to where they have the greatest impact.”

Sterile insect technique remains a central tool in fruit fly management and continues to attract strong support from growers, particularly in area-wide programs. Dr Quarrell said sterile flies offer clear advantages, including their ability to move across landscapes and their acceptance in urban and peri-urban environments where social licence can limit chemical control options.

“Sterile flies are an important part of the toolbox,” he said. “They’re not harmful to the environment, and they allow us to manage populations at a broader scale.”

At the same time, the next strategy will continue to explore complementary approaches, including the potential role of biological control agents. Drawing on his background in entomology, Dr Quarrell said differences between northern and southern growing regions highlight the importance of natural enemies in suppressing pest populations.

“When species move into new areas, they often leave behind the predators and parasitoids that help keep them in check in their native range,” he said. “Biocontrol won’t eradicate fruit fly, but it may help suppress populations and reduce pressure, particularly when used alongside other tools.”

A key theme underpinning the new strategy is practicality. With grower margins under pressure and competition for research and development funding increasing, future management options must be effective, affordable and fit for purpose.

“There’s no point investing in tools that don’t deliver value on the ground,” Dr Quarrell said. “The goal is to protect growers, businesses and regional communities by supporting approaches that are both scientifically sound and economically viable.”

Development of the next national fruit fly strategy will continue in consultation with industry, government and research partners over the coming months.