Cherry growers' harvest will be eaten by birds due to fruit fly rules, despite shortage

Normally Christmas time at the Brooke's means the friendly faces of families flocking to pick cherries from their orchards in Barmera, but this year growers will be forced to watch the birds eat them on their trees instead.

Key points:SA Department of Primary Industries is managing 16 Queensland fruit fly outbreaks in RiverlandFruit movement restrictions are in place across the region until March next year the state has so far spent $20 million on measures to eradicate the pest Husband and wife Ann and Peter Brooke have been growing cherries in South Australia's Riverland for many years and has allowed community members to come to their neighborhood and experience a "pick-it-yourself" experience.

However, fruit fly outbreaks ongoing and widespread in the area have resulted in restrictions being put in place on their ownership, meaning fruit cannot be moved off their premises.

" last year we had hail so we didn't pick a e cherry," Mr Brooke said.

"This year the crop is better than last year and we're not going to pick a cherry either. Not a single cherry."

The Brookes had their entire cherry crop destroyed by hail last year. (ABC Rural: Eliza Berlage)

It's been almost two years since the state Department of Primary Industries declared the first outbreak in the Riverland and the Brookes are just a few- some of those who fear that it will become impossible to eradicate the pest.

"They [PIRSA] have no hope in hell," Mr. Brooke said.

"This year has bad summer for flying fruit because it was cool and the hot weather is pushing it a bit but it got crazy."

The Brookes are unable to sell their cherries due to fruit fly restrictions in the Riverland. (ABC Rural: Eliza Berlage)Dream becomes nightmare.p>

"The cost of spraying and the cost of fumigation if you want to send it to Adelaide - those are the main ones," Ms Ghuman said.< /p>

"Then there is the cost of waste and audits."