Welcome to the latest edition of our Prevent Fruit Fly newsletter. As the season continues to unfold, vigilance in fruit fly management remains a top priority. A range of practical tips and tools are available on the Prevent Fruit Fly website to support producers in staying one step ahead.

2025 was a pivotal year in strengthening Australia’s national fruit fly management system to support horticultural growth, market access and trade. Strategic investment priorities were reviewed, informing the development of the next National Fruit Fly Strategy, to be delivered over a 10-year horizon and designed to drive transformational change across the system.

The strategic plan will be accompanied by a current economic analysis that enables the National Fruit Fly Council (NFFC) to develop an informed business case for priority action and investment by industry, jurisdictions, researchers and others that optimises the opportunity to reduce the impact from fruit flies in Australia.

In this edition, we provide an update from the NFFC’s visit to Brisbane, which included participation in the Fresh and Secure Trade Alliance (FASTA) Symposium and the NFFC Strategy and Economic Analysis Workshops. You’ll also find highlights from our Council meeting held in September at the Ecosciences Precinct in Brisbane.

In this edition we also continue to introduce NFFC members who contribute their time and energy to help deliver the outcomes of our National Fruit Fly Strategy.

Following the success of the 2023 National Fruit Fly Symposium, which brought together more than 120 delegates in Adelaide, planning is now underway for the 2026 Symposium in October/November. The event will coincide with the release of the draft National Fruit Fly Strategy 2026–35. More details to follow.

Protecting Australia from exotic fruit fly incursions from the north remains a strategic priority for the NFFC. The Council continues to place a high strategic importance on protection of Australia from incursions of exotic fruit fly species from the north and we continue to strongly support the Queensland Department of Primary Industry (QDPI) team who are leading the Torres Strait Exotic Fruit Fly Eradication Program and recognise the importance of sustained vigilance in this region.

We look forward to working with you through the engagement process to develop a strong, future-focused strategy for the decade ahead.

Have a safe and enjoyable Christmas.

Stuart Burgess

Manager, National Fruit Fly Council