New Panama case feared
THE Far North banana industry has been dealt another blow with a suspected new case of Panama disease Tropical Race 4 (Panama TR4) detected on a Cassowary Coast property.
If confirmed, it will be the fifth infected commercial banana farm in the Tully Valley area since the disease was first detected in Queensland in 2015.
Biosecurity Queensland Panama TR4 program leader Rhiannon Evans said a surveillance team had spotted a banana plant with symptoms typical of the disease during a routine property inspection.
It follows another detection of Panama disease on a Tully Valley banana farm in February this year.
“Preliminary testing has come back positive, but further tests are needed for a conclusive result and that can take up to four weeks,” Ms Evans said.
“We have advised the grower of the suspect detection and the need to meet strict biosecurity requirements to minimise the risk of any further disease spread.”
“Fortunately, the grower was prepared with on-farm biosecurity, making it easier to meet those requirements.”
Ms Evans said that biosecurity officers would now work with the grower to provide practical support gained from working on the previous infested properties.
“The property is close to the other four previously known to have the disease,” she said.
“If it is a positive result, it will only be the fifth property confirmed to be infested with Panama TR4 in Far North
Queensland since 2015.
“This means the disease is spreading very gradually and is still contained within the Tully Valley,” Ms Evans said.
Australian Banana Growers’ Council chairman Stephen Lowe said a potential new case of Panama TR4 was “news no one associated with the industry wanted to hear”.
“Obviously, our thoughts are very much with the grower affected,” he said. “This is and will be a very challenging time for them and their family as they await further test results.”
Ms Evans said that checks across the region’s banana production areas would be ramped up, including increased surveillance in the Tully Valley.
“Early detection allows us to quickly destroy infected plants and minimise the buildup of fungal spores in soil,” she said.
editorial@cairnspost.com.au facebook.com/TheCairnsPost www.cairnspost.com.au twitter.com/TheCairnsPost