South Australia Minister for Primary Industries Tim Whetstone

Bordertown Border-Trap

Victor P Taffa

Visitors driving into South Australia this long weekend are encouraged to remove all fruit from their vehicles before crossing the border after 103 motorists were fined a total of $38,625 last weekend at Bordertown.

Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Tim Whetstone said an alarming number of drivers are putting our world-class horticultural industry at risk by ignoring repeated warnings not to bring fruit across the Victorian border into South Australia.

“Almost 1 in 7 vehicles stopped at a random roadblock in Bordertown last weekend were found with fruit and prohibited material.” Minister Whetstone said.

 

“In total, 124 kg of prohibited fruit was seized and securely disposed of by Biosecurity South Australia staff during last weekend’s roadblock.”

“Marshall Government is rolling out our zero-tolerance approach on the border and all 103 motorists detected with illegal fruit at Bordertown will be hit with $375 fines.” Minister Whetstone said.

“We welcome visitors to South Australia to enjoy our wonderful food, wine and tourism experiences but they must be reminded to leave fruit at home and not put the state’s Pest Free Area status at risk.”

“Message needs to get out not to bring prohibited fruit into South Australia and biosecurity staff will be out and about looking to catch people who do the wrong thing.” Minister Whetstone said.

Bordertown Roadblock Statistics Thursday 28 February-Saturday 2 March 2019

• 753 Vehicles were Inspected
• 103 Vehicles were found with fruit
• 72 Victorian vehicles were found with fruit
• 124 kg of Fruit seized
• $38,625 in Total value of fines
• $27,000 in Total value of fines for Victorian vehicles