THE banana industry has called on both the Queensland and Commonwealth governments to fund a support package for growers affected by the spread of the dreaded fungus Panama Tropical Race 4.
A second suspected outbreak of the soil-borne disease was discovered in north Queensland’s Mareeba region last week, following on from an initial detection on a Tully property in March.
Biosecurity Queensland’s confirmation of a positive test for the disease on the commercial banana farm near Mareeba sent further shockwaves through the industry which had hoped to contain the disease.
Mareeba is about 180km by road from the site of the first detection in the Tully Valley.
The fungus crippled the Northern Territory banana industry when it was discovered there in 1997.
The Australian Banana Growers’ Council (ABGC) held meetings this week in Mareeba, Tully and Innisfail to bring growers up to speed about the situation.
About 150 attended the first meeting at Mareeba on Monday afternoon.
Growers were told that biosecurity requirements are being planned that will provide a way for bananas to be farmed on properties partly-affected by the plant fungus Panama Tropical Race 4 (TR4).
Meetings attendees were also told of a plan to reimburse affected growers for the interruption to their operations.
The Australian Banana Growers’ Council (ABGC) has called for on both levels of government to contribute to a reimbursement fund.
ABGC chairman Doug Phillips and CEO Jim Pekin met with Queensland Agriculture Minister Bill Byrne in Brisbane last week along with officials from Biosecurity Queensland.
“The detection of TR4 on a second North Queensland banana farm means Government must immediately introduce arrangements to support the affected growers as well as to help other growers who must introduce improved biosecurity measures on their farms,” Mr Phillips said.
“We need to have the banana industry fully prepared to contain this disease and to assist growers with affected properties.”
Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter backed the call for Government compensation to support any farmers affected by Panama.
“There must be full compensation paid to every banana grower infected with this disease. People won’t come forward and identify disease if they are threatened with bankruptcy if they do,” Mr Katter said.
“We want compensation, confinement and eradication.”
Federal agriculture minister Barnaby Joyce announced assistance to the Queensland Government’s efforts to respond to the latest detection but at the time of writing was yet to confirm any further assistance package.
“My priority is to work with the Queensland Government to deliver support to affected North Queensland producers through the emergency response effort,” Mr Joyce said.
“The Australian Government has to date delivered $210,000 in support to fund a range of biosecurity measures to support the emergency response effort.
“This funding includes the contribution of specialised personnel to help with tracing and planning activities.
“We are also providing support to Biosecurity Queensland to get access to specialist high-throughput diagnostic equipment, so that large numbers of plant samples can be rapidly processed.
“On ground surveillance teams will assess the extent of the infection so neighbouring properties are asked to remain vigilant of any signs of disease on their properties and to follow any directions from biosecurity authorities.
The support also includes front-of-gate and road signage to inform surrounding communities.
“There will also be information kits developed specifically for banana growers, along with decontamination information kits—providing clear information about decontamination of people and equipment is vital,” Minister Joyce said.
ABGC chairman Doug Phillips said the meeting in Mareeba had strong support from growers for establishing biosecurity protocols that will need to be in place on TR4-affected farms so growers on those farms can continue to farm bananas.
“These protocols will be set by Biosecurity Queensland with advice from the ABGC. They will provide a way forward for growers whose farms are currently affected by TR4 and any other growers whose farms may be affected in the future,” Mr Phillips said.
”Growers are also supportive of a plan to establish an assistance package to provide reimbursement to growers whose farming operations are interrupted because of a detection of TR4 on their properties.
Queensland’s chief biosecurity officer Dr Jim Thompson said the Mareeba property would be quarantined while surveillance was undertaken and further samples taken to confirm the extent of the disease.
“While this latest development is understandably disappointing, it is an outcome which we have been preparing for,” Dr Thompson said.
“Our focus remains on controlling and containing the disease while we determine the extent of the outbreak.”
Mr Phillips said banana production and supply were continuing as usual from North Queensland banana farms with only two of 280 farms affected.
Bananas are worth some $600 million to the Queensland economy.
ABGC CEO Jim Pekin the second detection further emphasised the need for all banana growers to remain vigilant and to continue to check for signs of unhealthy plants.
“It also highlights the need for strong on-farm biosecurity measures,” Mr Pekin said.