Success in TR4 battle
FNQ banana industry’s biosecurity feat
FAR North Queensland banana growers and industry leaders have pulled off “one of the world’s most successful containment strategies” since being faced with the devastating Panama disease tropical race 4.
This month marks four years since the invasive disease was first detected in the region.
Since then three farms have been infected.
Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Mark Furner said the combined efforts of industry, government and research bodies working together was largely to credit for helping contain the spread. He said compliance officers had also worked closely with the affected farms.
“Right from the first detection in March 2015, government and industry collaborated to ensure world’s best practice in the management of TR4 to support our growers and protect the region’s $600 million industry,” he said.
“Our plant biosecurity laboratory scientists have achieved gold standard in TR4 diagnostics and continue to test banana plant samples to determine if the disease is present.”
While the disease has been contained to three properties to date, Mr Furner said “there is absolutely no room for complacency”.
“Panama TR4 is a really difficult disease to manage,” he said. “There is no cure and the disease can be easily spread in contaminated soil and water and in infected planting material.
“The disease is one of the greatest threats to worldwide banana production. It continues to spread around the world and it has devastated industries and livelihoods both in Australia and overseas.”
FNQ Growers president Joe Moro said, as well as a blow to affected growers, there’d been a cost to the industry.
“It’s still an ongoing battle and we shouldn’t become complacent. It is by far the biggest industry in the Far North, it is a huge employer and underpins the horticulture industry.”
Australian Banana Growers’ Council chairman Stephen Lowe said one tiny speck of contaminated soil on a shoe or vehicle could be enough to carry the infection.
“It’s simple – if you don’t get permission, don’t enter (a banana property),” he said.
“The potential consequences aren’t worth it.”