THE discovery of a male Queensland fruit fly at Buronga, in southwest NSW, is being treated as separate to last month's outbreak at nearby Mildura.

But businesses consigning host fruit from the Mildura 15km suspension zone must obtain a new Department of Primary Industries permit, following the expiry of interim permits on Monday.

Meanwhile, in the Riverina, residents of the Griffith, Leeton and Narrandera shires have been offered free removal or lopping of backyard fruit trees.

The offer has been made by the councils, Riverina Citrus and the Department of Industry and Investment NSW, in a bid to prevent future outbreaks of Queensland fruit fly.

For more details, phone (02) 6962 4333.

Illegal-worker raids

RAIDS by Department of Immigration officers in the past fortnight have found 20 illegal workers employed in the horticultural and hospitality industries at Sale and Mildura.

They included Chinese, Malaysian, Indian and Nepalese nationals, who were working in breach of their visa conditions.

Six have already been deported, some were taken to the Maribyrnong Immigration Detention Centre and others have had their visas cancelled.

China records questioned

A NEW Zealand government official has questioned the transparency and accuracy of record-keeping for fresh produce from China.

Ministry of Agriculture senior adviser Mike Ormsby said biosecurity systems in China were set up to ensure all produce passed official audits and failures were not recorded or reported.

Dr Ormsby called for more checks.

Field day

A FIELD day this week will demonstrate the effects of an additive that is claimed to increase yields and reduce waste by adding beneficial bacteria directly to the soil.

Bactivate distributor Bioasis will hold the field day on Friday, from 1.30pm to 4.30pm at Petty's Orchard in Melbourne.

The orchard is at 1 Homestead Rd, Templestowe.

For more details, phone Andrew Heeps on 0416 263 437.