Banana disease is back
SURVEILLANCE is being ramped up across all banana growing areas in the Far North as the region records its second case of Panama disease tropical race 4 in just six months.
Biosecurity Queensland confirmed on Thursday that the soil-borne fungal disease was present on a fifth commercial banana farm in the Tully Valley.
The disease was first identified on the property last month. The farm is close to four other banana farms previously confirmed to have Panama TR4.
While the disease is contained within the Tully Valley, Biosecurity Queensland’s Panama TR4 program leader Rhiannon Evans said extra efforts to minimise the spread would be introduced.
“We’re increasing surveillance in the Tully Valley, and expanding it to all banana growing areas across far north Queensland,” she said.
“Strong on-farm biosecurity and regular surveillance are vital to limiting the spread of Panama TR4.
“The Panama TR4 program will continue to work closely with growers and the industry to deliver a cost-effective surveillance program that provides an early and effective response to disease presence.”
The affected grower is now working closely with the Panama TR4 program team to ensure a set of biosecurity requirements are met, to minimise the risk of spread from the property.
“Biosecurity Queensland is working co-operatively with the grower to make sure the biosecurity measures are in place to limit disease spread and protect the banana industry,” Ms Evans said.
Panama TR4 is a soil-borne disease that can be transferred by people, animals, vehicles and other machinery entering and exiting banana properties.
It was first detected in far north Queensland on a commercial banana farm in the Tully Valley in March 2015.
It was detected on a second property in July 2017 and a third property in February 2018.
The fourth case was revealed in February this year, again on a commercial banana farm in the Tully Valley.