Throughout 2026, the NFFC has worked to better understand stakeholder concerns across the fruit fly ecosystem, ensuring the newly developed National Fruit Fly Strategy (2026-2035) (NFFS) responds to future needs. As outlined in previous Prevent Fruit Fly newsletters, the NFFS will guide future industry and government investment ensuring a robust fruit fly management system that strengthens industry confidence, supports growth in horticultural production, and maintains access to domestic and international markets.

Through the NFFC’s workshop series (see article below) the project team have heard from a wide variety of stakeholders with, in many instances, equally diverse views regarding the challenges posed by fruit flies now and into the future.

Despite this diversity of opinion, several key issues were frequently raised during the workshops. The number one challenge flagged by industry was the ongoing loss of chemistry to control fruit flies and how an ever diminishing ‘toolbox’ not only makes managing fruit flies more difficult but also creates uncertainty when seeking to maintain market access both here and overseas.

Although stakeholders identified the need for new chemical controls as a high priority, the team also heard encouraging reports of early progress in biological control research. Incorporating biological controls into Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs along with crop hygiene, Male Annihilation Technique (MAT), and baiting programs has the potential to reduce the current reliance on cover sprays. These approaches could be further supported through the adoption of Area Wide Management strategies that reduce fruit fly populations on a regional scale and subsequently pest pressure on farm.

Maintaining Pest Free Areas (PFAs) was consistently identified as a high priority for industry and government alike, as PFA status enables access to high-value export markets which supports business profitability. Maintaining and expanding market access will require continued research, including into a greater use of irradiation and systems approaches that can address the potential withdrawal of methyl bromide as a post-harvest treatment.

Concerns were also frequently raised about the introduction of exotic species including Oriental Fruit Fly (Bactrocera dorsalis). Addressing this risk will require sustained resourcing to maintain and, where possible, strengthen Australia’s biosecurity systems. Biosecurity research priorities include enhanced surveillance and diagnostics to support early detection of both exotic and established species. Improved preparedness will also be required to ensure stakeholders have the knowledge and tools on hand to rapidly respond to incursions when detections occur.

These challenges are amplified when considering the declining profitability of the horticultural sector, driven in part by rising input costs, including labour. This economic pressure reinforces the need for cost-effective, integrated solutions, implemented through research and development focused on the potential benefits of automated fruit fly management systems including protein bait application and crop monitoring.

Meeting these challenges will require not only additional funding, but also stronger collaboration and a shared understanding of the roles that government, industry, researchers and the community can play. Working together will be essential in reducing the impacts fruit flies have on the horticulture sector, the communities it supports, our food security and the economy more broadly.

The project team are currently drafting the new strategy and hope to circulate it to key stakeholders for comment soon.

Dr Steve Quarrell

Manager, National Fruit Fly Council