Article originally authored by Mango Matters. 

The National Fruit Fly Council (NFFC) plays a pivotal role in overseeing the implementation of the National Fruit Fly Strategy, bringing together governments, growers, and research funders to drive a cost-effective and sustainable approach to managing fruit flies across Australia. 

 Members of the NFFC Executive Committee recently visited the Cairns and the Mareeba region in Far North Queensland to assess the region’s fruit fly management efforts. During their visit, the team observed firsthand the collaborative work being undertaken by key partners, including the Queensland Department of Primary Industries (QDPI), the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), the Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy (NAQS) team, and local growers. This site visit highlighted the effectiveness of coordinated efforts to manage and mitigate the impact of fruit flies in the region 

THE ROLE OF THE NATIONAL FRUIT FLY COUNCIL (NFFC). 

 The Council provides leadership and advice on strategic policy, research, development and extension issues related to the fruit fly, connecting with a range of stakeholders that include the National Biosecurity Committee, Plant Health Committee, Hort Innovation, industry, and the community. NFCC’s core functions:  

• Leadership and coordination: Leading Australia’s fruit fly management efforts and promoting a shared responsibility among key stakeholders to strengthen and harmonise the fruit fly management system.
• Strategy development: Maintaining and updating the National Fruit Fly Strategy to ensure it reflects the direction and key activities needed to strengthen the capability, capacity and resilience of Australia’s fruit fly management system. This also maximises outcomes from research, development, and extension (RD&E) investments.
• Implementation: Monitoring the execution of the National Fruit Fly Strategy, including reviewing and providing progress reports to stakeholders. 
• Research and advancements: Advising on the contribution of proposed fruit fly research to advancing the National Fruit Fly Strategy and engaging with research groups to understand and track research activities. 
• Strategic advice: Addressing fruit fly management challenges, promoting consistency with international standards, minimisation duplication, and supporting Australia’s market access opportunities. 
• Stakeholder engagement: Collaborating with industry, government, research and community stakeholders to develop positions that reflect the national interests in fruit fly management, integrated into the national biosecurity system. 
• Public awareness: Promote the importance of fruit fly management through the NFFC Communications Strategy. 
• Reporting: Providing regular updates and reports to the Plant Health Committee and Hort Innovation. The NFCC committee is composed of a diverse group of government and industry representatives, including Bowen mango grower, Dale Williams.