Eradication versus control of Mediterranean fruit fly in Western Australia

Authors

David C. Cook, Department of Agriculture and Food, WAFollow
Rob W. Fraser, The University of Kent, UK

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-10-2014

Journal Title

Agricultural and Forest Entomology

ISSN

Print: 1461-9555 Electronic: 1461-9563

Keywords

Benefit cost analysis, biosecurity, eradication, fruit fly, Mediterranean fruit fly, pest management, sterile insect technique

Disciplines

Agricultural Economics | Biosecurity

Abstract

1. The primary chemicals used by Western Australia's horticultural industries with respect to field control and post-harvest disinfestation procedures for the Mediterranean fruit fly are soon to be withdrawn from use because of public health concerns. 2. When this occurs, the necessary switch to alternative control methods such as bait sprays and intensive fruit fly trapping will involve additional producer costs. 3. The present study demonstrates that these costs are likely to exceed the costs of eradication using the sterile insect technique. 4. Given this result, eradication cost sharing arrangements between government and industry are discussed that could produce mutual benefits in the long term.

Recommended Citation

Cook, D C, and Fraser, R W. (2014), Eradication versus control of Mediterranean fruit fly in Western Australia. Agricultural and Forest Entomology, 17 (2), 173-180.
https://library.dpird.wa.gov.au/bs_research/25