Carwash latest tool in banana disease fight
AN additional measure to help protect the Far North’s banana industry from the devastating Panama Tropical Race 4 is now available at Tully.
Queensland electricity transmission provider Powerlink has stepped up to help play its part in the prevention of the disease by making its Sandy Creek wash-down bay available to biosecurity field crews.
Panama Tropical Race 4 Program leader Rhiannon Evans said the wash-down bay was being used almost daily by biosecurity staff after visiting banana farms in the region.
“Washing and decontaminating vehicles, machinery and equipment is essential to containing this potentially devastating disease,” she said.
“They (Powerlink) have also been supportive of the department’s biosecurity measures by ensuring their staff understand Panama TR4 and are trained to come clean and leave clean on banana farm entry and exit.”
This comes after about 80 members of the Far North banana industry attended recent workshops on farming with Panama TR4 at Silkwood and Mareeba.
Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner said, if the worst-case scenario should happen and the disease was detected on another farm, there were biosecurity requirements that had to be met for that farm to continue trading.
“Panama TR4 is a serious disease threatening our banana industry and farms that have sound biosecurity measures in place may have less production downtime,” he said.
Mr Furner last week also announced the launch of a new TV commercial campaign to raise awareness of the disease.
It is expected to be shown online and on TV this month, featuring local banana farmer Mark Nucifora and steps he has taken to ensure his farm is not affected by the disease. editorial@cairnspost.com.au facebook.com/TheCairnsPost www.cairnspost.com.au twitter.com/TheCairnsPost