Pigs spread banana bug Expert calls for electric fences

FERAL pig expert Dr Jim Mitchell has warned that heavy- duty electrified fencing is needed to stop the animals spreading Panama disease in the banana belt.

The fungal- borne disease, also known as tropical race 4 ( TR 4), attacks the roots of banana trees and ultimately kills the plant. Panama disease has the potential to cause widespread damage to North Queensland’s $ 600 million banana industry.

Biosecurity Queensland testing last month confirmed the disease had been found on a cavendish banana farm, near the property that was first infected in the Tully Valley in 2015.

Dr Mitchell, a former senior zoologist and feral pig expert with Biosecurity Queensland, is now head of Charters Towers- based wild animal control company Feralfix. He said pigs could be controlled, but at considerable cost and effort.

Dr Mitchell’s warning comes after Agriculture Minister Bill Byrne told growers last week they could apply for Category D weapon licences in the war against pigs. Category D allows farmers to arm themselves with pump action shotguns and rifles.

Dr Mitchell said pigs, which wallowed in mud and travelled from farm to farm, could easily carry the Panama disease fungus on their coat and in their hooves and snout. He said the fungus lived in the soil and could easily be spread by boars which were capable of walking 30km a day.

“They can carry infected dirt a long way. In America pigs carry the Phytophtora cinnamomi soil mould which causes ‘ die back’ in forests. If they can do that in America they can do it here with Panama,” Dr Mitchell said.

“Farmers need pig- proof fencing of heavy mesh with electrified outriggers. This has to be combined with a concerted and widespread trapping and baiting program. The farmers really need to hammer the pigs.”

Tully banana grower Paul Johnston ( pictured) said he had put barbed wire fences around his farm to keep out trespassers. He said effective pig fencing was costly, but added the day would come when he would be forced to make the investment.

“Pigs are out of control. There’s way more now than there used to be. There’s so much room for them even along the Tully River where they can hide,” he said.

“We’ve trapped 300 pigs this year, but haven’t put a dent in numbers.”