Panama hits new banana grower

THE banana industry’s worst fears have been realised for a third time as another Tully property has been confirmed to carry Panama disease tropical race 4 (Panama TR4).

Biosecurity Queensland yesterday confirmed the detection on a commercial banana farm in the Tully Valley after the vegetative compatibility group test came back positive.

The third infested farm, believed to be Warwick Flegler’s Tully Gorge Rd property at Jarra Creek, is near the other two Panama TR4-infested farms in the Tully Valley.

The news follows the initial positive test on a plant sample during routine surveillance, which placed the property under suspicion last month.

Since then the property has continued to operate, working with Biosecurity Queensland to mitigate the spread.

Australian Banana Growers’ Council chairman Stephen Lowe said the banana farm would continue trading under strict guidelines and, unfortunately, at a higher cost.

He said the newest case would have no impact on the fruit, nor did the industry expect supply issues.

“Obviously it’s disappointing for the industry and particularly for the grower concerned,” he said. “It’s been really stressful for the growers involved. I’m sure other farmers in the Tully Valley are also feeling quite concerned, as are all banana farmers.

“But we know our growers are incredibly resilient and willing to help each other out in tough times.”

Mr Lowe said the affected sample would be destroyed and, while the cause of the infection was unknown, “feral pigs would appear to be the more likely vector”.

“Biosecurity Queensland will be trying to pinpoint how the disease got there ... but it is really difficult to determine,” he said.

Agriculture Minister Mark Furner urged growers to stay committed to their on-farm biosecurity measures.

“The rigorous biosecurity protocols implemented by Biosecurity Queensland to control and contain the disease are underpinned by world class scientific methods, and are proven to be the most effective methods to mitigate the spread of the disease,” he said.

“As the new detection is in the same geographical location as the previous two infested farms, we are confident that our containment measures have been effective so far.”

Mr Furner said the State Government had invested more than $27 million to contain and manage Panama TR4 since it was first detected in March 2015, which included a program to manage feral pigs.