The National Management Group met on 18 February 2026 and approved a 12-month extension to the National Exotic Fruit Fly in Torres Strait Eradication Program Response Plan to June 2027. This includes an additional commitment of $3.1 million to the eradication program, bringing the total national commitment for 2021-2027 to $6.9 million.
The eradication program targets yearly, seasonal incursions, of three exotic fruit fly species (Bactrocera dorsalis, Bactrocera trivialisa and Zeugodacus cucurbitae) into the Torres Strait from established populations in Papua New Guinea. These incursions have been successfully eradicated each year since 1996, protecting Australia’s $9 billion horticultural industry from the establishment of exotic fruit flies. The long term success of this nationally cost shared and coordinated program demonstrates the strength of collaboration between governments and industry in managing biosecurity incursions in Australia.
The extension of the current Response Plan will support enhanced eradication activities on Badu Island. No target species are permanently established on Torres Strait islands, and existing control measures remain effective.
The eradication program is jointly delivered by Biosecurity Queensland and the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry under the Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy.
Australia’s national biosecurity system is effective in preventing and responding to pest and disease incursions through a coordinated approach across offshore, border, and onshore activities. This includes prevention, early detection, eradication, and management techniques.
Reporting suspicion of pests and disease is easy and vital in protecting Australia. If you suspect the presence of presence of Exotic Fruit Flies, contact the national Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881. You can find out more about how we respond to plant pest and disease incidents at outbreak.gov.au.