Mount Gambier Mail Distribution Centre staff intercepted a box of grapes sent from Queensland to a person in Mount Gambier.

Under the Plant Health Act 2009, it is illegal to send or bring in uncertified fruit and vegetable produce into SA because of the high risks of introducing fruit fly and other declared pests, such as grape phylloxera.

The man received an expiation fine of $315.

PIRSA Food and Plant Standards manager Geoff Raven praised the vigilance of the mail centre staff.

“These have turned out to be very expensive grapes,” he said.

“Grapes are a host to fruit flies and phylloxera – both are major threats to SA’s $480 million fresh fruit and vegetable industry.

“SA is in the enviable position of being free of fruit fly and phylloxera, and government and industry work very hard to maintain our pest-free status.

“I urge all South Australians to remain vigilant and not bring in fruit and vegetables from interstate.

“SA is now entering one of its highest risk times for fruit fly, with the Australia Day weekend, the end of school holidays and plenty of travellers on the road.

“The risk is even greater than usual, because of an outbreak of fruit fly just over the border in Mildura, so travellers will need to be vigilant.

“Also anyone travelling into the Riverland with fruit and vegetables purchased elsewhere in SA must carry an itemised receipt.

“We take the risk of fruit fly and phylloxera very seriously and we will follow up any reports of illegally bringing fruit and vegetables into SA.

“Maintaining our fruit fly-free status ensures our industry continues to receive ongoing access to lucrative export markets worth millions of dollars.

“Likewise the introduction of phylloxera would significantly impact on the state’s $2.1 billion grape and wine industry.”

The new Plant Health Act, introduced in August last year, allows for steeper penalties and tougher restrictions on the movement of fruit and vegetables in and out of the State and into the Riverland.