Banana freckle disease found in the Northern Territory again

The plant illness often called banana freckle has been discovered within the Northern Territory once more, three years after it was officially eradicated from Australia.

NT Farmers chief govt Paul Burke mentioned the illness had been confirmed on a rural, residential property within the Batchelor area, south of Darwin, on Tuesday afternoon.

Mr Burke mentioned it was too early to find out the supply or the potential unfold of the illness.

“Banana freckle causes leaves and fruit to change into spotty and has a sandpaper really feel when touched,” he mentioned.

“The illness considerably reduces fruit high quality and yields.”

He mentioned the illness was seen as a significant menace to Australia’s $500 million banana trade.

What occurs subsequent?

NT chief plant well being officer Anne Walters mentioned the outbreak had been detected on dwarf cavendish bananas and surveillance to know the extent of the infestation had began.

“It could be restricted to 1 or a number of properties in that [Batchelor] space, or it could be extra widespread, so we’re doing loads of surveillance,” Dr Walters mentioned.

“We now have restrictions on the property in query and requested them to not transfer any plant materials or fruit off the property… this restriction is proscribed to simply this property at this stage.”

Dr Walters mentioned it was too early to say whether or not or not the federal government would implement extra restrictions or conduct an eradication program.

The NT Farmers Affiliation mentioned it will focus all of its efforts “to assist remove the unfold of the illness and restrict its monetary influence on farmers”. 

Final outbreak value $26 million 

Australia’s first outbreak of banana freckle on the favored cavendish banana selection occurred back in 2013.

It led to a big eradication program that resulted in hundreds of banana vegetation being faraway from throughout the High Finish.

The NT’s industrial banana trade was basically worn out throughout this system, which means NT supermarkets turned reliant on banana imports from interstate.

Nevertheless it was the community anger that maybe outlined the NT’s eradication program, with many residents and enterprise house owners feeling this system was poorly communicated and too heavy-handed.  

Authorities are asking NT residents to be on the look out for any indicators of banana freckle and report signs to the unique plant pest hotline 1800 084 881.