The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has been responding to a Queensland fruit fly (Qfly) outbreak within the Perth metropolitan area since March 2020.

Over the course of their journey from the open fields to the produce displays at grocery stores, fresh vegetables and fruits can sometimes get contaminated by microorganisms. These items can then spoil other produce, spreading the contamination further and increasing the number of food items that can cause illnesses.

The Soil Wealth and Integrated Crop Protection (ICP) project works with growers nationally to put soil management and plant health research into practice.

Total Quality Assurance Systems (TQAS) has been operating without any serious disruption to services. Our food safety activities have been recognised as an essential service to the food industry.