The Brazilian Agriculture and Livestock Confederation (CNA) took part in a meeting on October 30 with Agriculture Minister Carlos Fávaro and Agrarian Development Minister Paulo Teixeira to discuss risks linked to banana imports from Ecuador. The session, attended by producer associations including Conaban, Abanorte, Abavar, and Febanana, focused on phytosanitary threats associated with Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense tropical race 4 (TR4).
TR4 is a quarantine pest not present in Brazil and is considered a threat to Cavendish varieties such as dwarf and silver bananas, which dominate Brazilian production and consumption. Sector representatives highlighted the role of both direct risks, with fruit acting as a source of inoculum, and indirect risks linked to contamination from boxes, pallets, and other packaging materials.
CNA technical advisor Letícia Barony stressed the importance of strict phytosanitary defenses. "The situation is made more serious by the lack of TR4-resistant genetic material and the lack of effective treatments. This is a soil-borne disease that, once present, renders the area unsuitable for growing the fruit due to the lack of treatment," she said. Barony noted that CNA recently submitted a letter to the Ministry of Agriculture addressing concerns on the matter.
She added that Brazil's production structure, with more than 200,000 producers nationwide, over 80% of them family farms, would make it impossible to control TR4 if introduced. "Creating an enormous challenge for the Ministry of Agriculture and great insecurity for producers," she said.
The ministers reaffirmed Brazil's commitment to plant health protections and underlined the country's international reputation. They confirmed that risk analyses will be carried out with the participation of Embrapa and the production sector. They also stated that if any risk of TR4 entry is identified, the market will not be opened.
The meeting was also attended by Senator Jaime Bagatoli, federal deputies Jorge Goetten and Nilto Tatto, along with mayors and councilors.
Source: Abrafrutas