News that the Federal Government will contribute one third of the compensation costs for Tully banana growers the Robsons and the Reppels was a welcome surprise for one of the growers affected. Mark Reppel had one of his properties quarantined and plantings tested for the Panama TR4 fungal pathogen, and has been waiting to finalise compensation for loss of revenue and operating costs during the quarantine period. “It was a positive, welcome surprise to read the news, and we’re hoping a solution is in sight now,” he told Fresh Plaza. Despite the news that both the State of Queensland and Federal Governments are on board, Mr Reppel says he still has no idea what the ‘final and fair’ compensation figure he receives will be. “I’m still waiting to find out what the compensation will be. I still have no idea.”
In the meantime, Mr Reppel says his operation is getting back to normal, and the intention is very much to get the industry going again, according to him.
Research on TR4 ongoing
While research into the TR4 pathogen in the Northern Territory was halted due to the impact of the Banana Freckle eradication program in that state, there is still a focus on ensuring that bananas can still be grown and minimizing the impact of TR4 on future banana crops. “I was in Melbourne last week for the banana congress and heard some very interesting talks by world experts on Panama TR4,” says Mr Reppel. One of the researchers, Professor Altus Viljoen from South Africa, is due to visit the Robson’s affected property today, which Mr Reppel sees as a good sign. “I thought it was important that he got to see the affected property, and news had gone quite quiet since our directive was revoked.”
Dr Chih-Ping Chao from the Taiwan Banana Research Institute also presented on research into TR4 during the four-day event, and the hope is that there will be a positive outcome for the industry, according to Mr Reppel.
For more information
View the Australian Banana Growers’ Council website and press releases for information on Panama TR4 and the Biennial Banana Congress: www.abgc.org.au