THE battle to eradicate the Queensland fruit fly is progressing, according to the Department of Primary Industries.
The fruit fly costs Australian fruit growers more than $100 million annually.
The Sunraysia area is the latest outbreak region to eradicate the fruit fly but there are still seven declared outbreak regions across the state where the DPI and industry continue to work to eradicate the pest.
Last year Victoria faced one of its worst seasons for Queensland fruit fly since 1947, with 35 declared outbreaks.
DPI fruit fly response state director Gary D'Arcy said positive signs of progress had been made in the past year.
"Eradication of fruit fly from these outbreak regions means there are no longer restrictions on the movement of fruit produced from these sites to sensitive domestic markets," Mr D'Arcy said.
The latest regions to be reinstated with pest-free status include Euston, Gol Gol East, Merbein, Merbein East, Mildura, Nichols Point, Robinvale and Wood Wood.
Other regions free of the pest include Abbots Tank, Beverford South, Boundary Bend West, Cardross, Karadoc, Lake Powell, Narrung, Nyah, Nyah West, Piangil, Speewa, Wemen, Woorinen, Nangiloc and Yelta.
Mr D'Arcy said combined efforts from the DPI, industry and residents led to the tide finally turning in the battle to rid the state of the pest.
Australian Table Grape Association chief executive Jeff Scott said it was pleasing to see the co-operation between growers and the DPI towards eradication.
"It is imperative for industry that the PFA returns to its pest-free status," he said.
The DPI is asking residents to continue to keep fruit trees well-maintained, properly dispose of unwanted fruit and report suspected infestations.
