South Australian Riverland citrus producers are worried that a state government decision to remove midnight security from roadblocks at the Victoria border could threaten the region's fruit-fly-free status and affect exports.
The South Australian Citrus Board told ABC Rural that tens of millions of dollars in citrus exports would be put at stake when night shifts at the Yamba and Ceduna roadblocks close.
The roadblock polices fruit, vegetable and plant material coming into South Australia, and helps protect the state's A$2.4bn horticulture industry.
The state government said its decision to cut back on border security was based on a recent review of the state's fruit fly programme, which found risks to the programme were lower at night because of low traffic volumes.
But citrus board chairman Peter Walker claimed the move openly advertises times when people can move plants and fruit into the region without detection.
'It may well start the road to losing our status of area freedom,' he told ABC.
No comments yet