The Tasmanian Government is promising financial assistance to fruit growers impacted by the ongoing fruit fly biosecurity operation in Tasmania's north-west.
Fruit growers have been spending much of their long weekend in crisis talks with the Government as warnings of possible shortages in supermarkets arise.
Biosecurity experts continue to investigate what is believed to be Queensland fruit fly larvae at sites on Flinders Island and at Spreyton, near Devonport.
They are working overtime to contain the incursion, setting large numbers of traps in the wake of larvae being found in backyard apricot trees.
A 15 kilometre control zone at Spreyton is causing the most upheaval for growers, buyers and the general public.
It is illegal to move fruit or vegetables outside the zone.
Given that the zone includes Devonport's busy port and the distribution centre for Woolworths and Coles, there are concerns supermarket shelves could be left short of produce.
Lifting of zones under discussion
Growers have been in talks with the Tasmanian Government to lift the restriction as soon as possible.
"We recognise that this will impact on a number of producers, distribution and exporters of host produce within the Greater Devonport Area Zone," Primary Industries Minister Jeremy Rockliff said.
"[We] are working to mitigate the impacts of movement restrictions and liaising with industry to implement necessary requirements to lift restrictions as soon as possible."
Mr Rockcliff said the Government was committed to supporting growers.
"We are working with Fruit Growers Tasmania to identify those growers who will need financial and other assistance during this time," he said.
"Rest assured we will continue to support our fruit growers, just as we have supported our oyster growers through POMS [virus] and our farmers through floods."
Labor's spokesman for primary industries Shane Broad wants immediate support packages for farmers and businesses in the exclusion zone.
"It's the growers and businesses who rely on the local market who will be hit the hardest," he said.
The Labor MP said communication with growers had been inadequate and there was confusion and information delays among those affected.
