AU: Banana industry on alert after suspected case of TR4
Biosecurity Queensland is quarantining the farm following an initial positive test result received overnight from Queensland Government labs. Further testing is being conducted which is expected to conclusively determine whether TR4 is confirmed. Those test results are expected to be available in one to two weeks.
ABGC Chairman Doug Phillips said ABGC was working with Biosecurity Queensland on the issue and has advised all banana growers to immediately review their on-farm biosecurity practices.
“Biosecurity is the most important issue to the Australian banana industry and Panama TR4 is the most serious of all biosecurity risks for us.
“This suspected case has been identified through the banana industry’s ongoing communication with growers about biosecurity risks and our surveillance work, with the plant sample collected by one of our field officers after being notified by the grower of an unhealthy plant.
“Although this is a suspected case of Panama TR4 both ABGC and Biosecurity Queensland are treating this case with the utmost seriousness. ABGC will continue to keep growers informed about this situation.”
Growers have been reminded to continue biosecurity practices such as ensuring the use of clean planting material, not sharing farm machinery and equipment with other growers and removing all plant material and soil from any machinery, equipment, vehicles and footwear before they are brought onto their farms.
For more information:
Rhyll Cronin
ABGC
Tel: +61 07 3278 478
Email: rhyll.cronin@abgc.org.au
www.abgc.org.au