WITH fruit fly numbers still prevalent in the region, the Riverina Biosecurity Committee has employed a new tactic in ensuring the farming and general community is aware of the pest and the damage it causes.
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The committee has enlisted the help of Tammy Galvin, who is the new fruit fly campaign co-ordinator, taking over from David Troldahl.
Miss Galvin will be covering the shires of Leeton, Narrandera, Griffith, Murrumbidgee and Carrathool and will aim to educate the community, growers and councils about fruit fly control and management.
"The main aim is to educate about the methods that can be used to both get rid of fruit fly and stop the occurrence of it," she said.
"I'm a positive person and I believe if we all work together on this that we can eventually eradicate it from our area.
"We all need to be responsible for this ... there still is a fruit fly problem, which I think a lot of people aren't really aware of."
The prevalence of fruit fly is more common when weather is warm, with the flies laying their eggs under the skin of ripening fruit.
It is then that maggots hatch and feed, spoiling the fruit, causing it to rot and drop.
Miss Galvin will be running educational workshops as part of her role and has many resources on the subject.
She will be working in the role three days a week from the state government offices in Chelmsford Place, with those with questions on the topic encouraged to get in touch.
"It is a three-day position from Monday to Wednesday, but if people need to get in touch they can still do so outside of those days," Miss Galvin said.
"Hopefully we'll get everyone on board because we really do need everyone to be aware of it."
For more information contact Miss Galvin on 6953 0723.
