TAIPEI: Taiwan had banned the importation of all Tasmanian fruit because of concerns about fruit fly. It now says the ban only applies to fruit from within exclusion zones set up after larvae was found in Tasmania nearly two weeks ago. The state is experiencing an unprecedented crisis following the discovery of the pest in two locations. Five adult flies were found in traps on Flinders Island and one in a trap at Spreyton, near Devonport. Taiwan is probably the fourth or fifth most important market for Tasmanian cherries but the season is days away from being done and dusted for this year. We’ve had a very early season because of the warm weather, and so most export shipments will be complete inside of five to seven days.”Mr Hansen said his produce, which had been stranded today, would now be shipped tomorrow. Primary Industries Minister Jeremy Rockliff said he understood Taiwan’s move to suspend imports temporarily. Mr Rockliff said he had been advised the impact on growers would be minimal, because only about 6 per cent off fruit from this season remained on trees, and only a small amount would go to Taiwan. Tasmania’s access to the premium markets in Japan, Korea, USA, Taiwan and China are dependent on the state’s fruit-fly-free status. Biosecurity Tasmania staff have been going door-to-door inside a 15-kilometre control zone established around the Spreyton backyard apricot trees in which the larvae were detected. It is the first time Tasmania has had to establish this type of control zone which, critically, includes the port of Devonport. Fruit fly experts from South Australia arrived in the state to assist Biosecurity Tasmania staff who are setting traps and spraying about 440 properties.
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