The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has declared the State free of Queensland fruit fly (Qfly).
The declaration follows a successful 15-month campaign by the Department to eradicate the destructive pest from the Perth metropolitan area.
DPIRD employed a team of more than 550 working closely with communities in and around Dalkeith and Coolbellup to carry out more than 173,000 property and baiting inspections, and collected and disposed of more than 35,000 kilograms of at-risk fruit.
In a statement, the Department said more than 54.5 million sterile Qfly were released across both areas to prevent potential breeding and eradicate any surviving Qfly after baiting.
“All restrictions on the movement and management of fruit in the Perth metropolitan area have been removed,” the Department said.
“Qfly monitoring traps will remain in place in both areas, as part of the State’s permanent early warning trapping grid.”
It said that in order to prevent future outbreaks, it was important the community continued to keep their fruit and vegetable gardens well maintained and report any unusual pests.
Minister for Agriculture and Food, Alannah MacTiernan said this had been a mammoth effort by the Department.
“We thank the impacted communities and the WA horticulture industry on the tireless work they have done together to make sure we were able to rid this pest from our State,” Ms MacTiernan said.
