NEW BANANA PANAMA DISEASE THREAT STRESSES TULLY FARMERS

A TULLY Valley family is praying a nearby property will be cleared of Panama disease and the $4.5 million sale of its banana farm will proceed.

Biosecurity Queensland yesterday revealed it was conducting tests on samples taken from a number of banana plants on a Tully property to rule out the possibility of Panama disease Tropical Race 4.

The timing couldn’t be worse for grower Bevan Robson, whose TR4-infested farm was expected to settle that day under a historic deal brokered by the industry.

“We’re a bit stressed out, a bit heartbroken. We just don’t know where we stand until we get the results back,” said owner Mr Robson’s daughter Heidi Quagliata.

“We hope, not just for our sakes, but the party involved, the whole industry and North Queensland that it’s negative.

“You wouldn’t wish it on anyone.”

The Robsons had been winding down their operations in preparation for the settlement and on Wednesday held a farewell barbecue for their remaining workers.

“We had about 10 yesterday, who have stuck with us the whole way through, which we appreciate,” said Ms Quagliata.

“They found it hard as well because they become part of your family.”

If tests return positive, the Federal Government will withdraw a $3.3 million loan for the buyout as per its contract with the family and Australian Banana Growers’ Council.

But ABGC chairman Doug Phillips is confident the sale will proceed.

“Hundreds of other samples have been collected and come back negative,” he said.

“We very much hope this will come back negative as well but will know more in coming days and weeks.

“At this stage, the key message is there hasn’t been another confirmed case, purely a sample in the system.”