Growers unite to buy farm

HUNDREDS of banana growers have voted to buy a Far North farm infested with a devastating plant disease in what is believed to be an industry first.

The Australian Banana Growers’ Council yesterday released the results of a national ballot on increasing an industry levy from 0.0103 cents/ kg to 0.5 cents/kg to help fund the $4.5 million deal.

Fifty-five per cent of the country’s 600 commercial banana growers took part, with 84 per cent voting in favour of an increased levy.

The result paves the way for further negotiations on the sale and closure of Bevan Robson’s 166ha Tully Valley farm to prevent the spread of Panama disease Tropical Race 4.

ABGC chief executive Jim Pekin thanked growers for their support during tough financial times.

“They have done this as an investment in their future, even though they have averaged below cost of production prices for all of last financial year,” he said.

“The vote to increase the levy is the first step in the process to cease production and secure the Panama TR4 infected farm at Tully.”