Two banana disease experts from Taiwan and South Africa are due to assist the Australian industry with its response to the recent detection on Panama Disease Tropical Race IV (TR4), which has now been detected on two farms. 

The disease was confirmed on a plantation in Tully, Northern Queensland, last month, and last week officials said another positive detection had been made at a farm in Mareeba, 180km (112 miles) away.

Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce said the incursion of TR4 was a very serious threat to the Queensland banana industry that demanded a coordinated response based on the best available science.

"My department is working closely with the Queensland Government to ensure that the emergency response effort is effective and that full support is provided to the local industry," Joyce said.

"Australian biosecurity is based on the best available science and it will be critical that our response to this threat is informed by the best international research.

"Senator for Queensland, Barry O'Sullivan has requested the Australian Government fund Professor Altus Viljoen from South Africa and Dr Chih-Ping Chao, Director of the Taiwan Banana Research Institute, to meet with the banana industry and government."

O’Sullivan said it was crucial the industry had access to the best biosecurity expertise in the world as it determined its response plan to the outbreak.

"Access to reliable information is essential when confronting a biosecurity threat. These experts are among the best in their field and will make an enormous contribution as our response to this disease is executed," O’Sullivan said.

"I was in the banana growing regions of North Queensland within a few days of the first outbreak and have continued to relay information back to Minister Joyce as developments have arisen.

"We both understand how important this industry is to North Queensland and want to see it remain strong."

Professor Viljoen is a world renowned expert on control options and understanding the physiological basis for tolerant varieties for banana Fusarium wilt, specialising particularly on TR4. He is a consultant on banana Fusarium wilt activities throughout Africa and Asia.

Dr Chi-Ping Chao is best known for his work to develop diagnostic techniques for TR4 and development of tolerant varieties. He will address the stages the Taiwan industry went through in dealing with the disease, and how they have arrived at their breeding program using selection from tissue-culture plantings to find resistance.

The Australian Government has delivered AUD$210,000 (US$155,000) to fund a range of biosecurity measures for the emergency response effort.

"In addition, the Australian Government is contributing specialised personnel to help with tracing and planning activities and facilitating access to specialise equipment to allow rapid diagnosis of high volumes of plant material," Joyce said.

"We are also supporting the emergency response through on-ground surveillance teams that will assess the extent of infection and funding communication activities to ensure awareness of biosecurity protocols that will be essential to reducing the risk of spreading the disease."

The Australian Banana Growers’ Council (ABGC) is also holding three meetings in Northern Queensland this week, to inform growers of the biosecurity requirements being planned that will provide a way for bananas to be farmed on properties partly affected by TR4.

During the meetings, a plan was also discussed to reimburse affected growers for the interruption to their operations.

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