Abstract

This study evaluates the economic potential for Area Wide Management (AWM) of the Queensland fruit fly (Qfly) using the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) through three case studies across endemic and Pest-Free Areas (PFA) in south-east Australia. The cost of Qfly needs to be identified before the potential benefit of AWM and SIT can be evaluated. We use results from grower workshops and expert elicitation to identify the financial cost of Qfly to growers (the baseline) and the potential impact of AWM as a precursor to SIT (scenarios). Results show a net benefit from maintaining PFA status. In endemic regions, the potential financial benefits to growers of are low. Avoided adjustment costs that contribute to a net benefit in PFA’s are sunk in endemic regions. The low threshold for Qfly in markets and on-farm, and availability of cost-effective management options, implies limited benefits from avoided management costs. Market access is uncertain and AWM and SIT alone are not sufficient to access these benefits. Although there may be exceptions, we find limited grower benefits from AWM and SIT in Qfly endemic growing regions.

摘要

本研究通过澳大利亚东南部流行区和非疫区 (PFA) 的三个案例研究，评估了使用昆虫不育技术 (SIT) 对昆士兰果蝇 (Qfly) 进行区域管理 (AWM) 的经济潜力。在评估 AWM 和 SIT 的潜在收益之前，需要确定 Qfly 的成本。我们使用种植者研讨会和专家启发的结果来确定 Qfly 对种植者的财务成本（基线）以及 AWM 作为 SIT 前身的潜在影响（情景）。结果显示维持心理急救状态的净收益。在流行地区，种植者的潜在经济利益很低。有助于 PFA 净收益的避免调整成本在流行地区沉没。Qfly在市场和农场的低门槛，和具有成本效益的管理选项的可用性，意味着从避免的管理成本中获益有限。市场准入是不确定的，仅 AWM 和 SIT 不足以获得这些好处。尽管可能有例外，但我们发现在 Qfly 地方性种植区，AWM 和 SIT 对种植者的好处有限。