THE Queensland banana industry has been devastated by the news of a second outbreak of Panama disease Tropical Race 4 on a property at Mareeba today.
Biosecurity Queensland has confirmed that it received a positive test for the disease on a second commercial banana farm, near Mareeba.
Chief Biosecurity Officer Dr Jim Thompson said that the property would be quarantined while surveillance was undertaken and further samples taken to confirm the extent of the disease.
“The entire farm will be surveyed and any infected plants that are detected will be destroyed,” Dr Thompson said.
“We will also be undertaking investigations to identify how this property may have become infected, including if there are any links between this property and the first infected property in the Tully Valley.
“Tropical Race 4 remains a real threat to the state’s banana industry with the potential to impact all plant varieties including Cavendish.
“The disease, originally identified in Northern Territory during 1997, was first detected on a Queensland plantation in Tully on 3 March.
“While this latest development is understandably disappointing, it is an outcome which we have been preparing for.
“Our focus remains on controlling and containing the disease while we determine the extent of the outbreak.
“Over the past five weeks we have progressively ramped up our surveillance, tracing, sampling and testing efforts with more than 70 people now working on the response.
“The Panama disease Taskforce has also been established including a range of agencies to help support North Queensland communities in meeting the economic and social impacts of this disease.”
Jim Pekin CEO of the Australian Banana Growers’ Council (ABGC) said the ABGC was continuing to work closely with Biosecurity Queensland and keep banana growers and other industry members informed about actions to safeguard Queensland’s $600M banana industry.
“This second detection is in a separate North Queensland banana growing area and further emphasises the need for all banana growers to remain vigilant and to continue to check for signs of unhealthy plants,” Mr Pekin said.
“It also highlights the need for strong on-farm biosecurity measures.”
Growers are strongly encouraged to:
• ensure the use of clean planting material such as tissue culture plants
• not share farm machinery and equipment with other growers
• remove all plant material and soil from all machinery, equipment, vehicles and footwear before entry to their property.
If you suspect Panama disease on your plants, report it immediately to Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23, or call the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881.
For more information on preventing Panama disease visit www.daf.qld.gov.au
