The race is on - managing Panama disease tropical race 4 in Far North Queensland

ADepartment of Agriculture and Fisheries’ (DAF) management of the Panama disease tropical race 4 (TR4) in Far North Queensland (FNQ) is gaining international interest. With slow disease progression across three infested farms over four years, the world is watching to see how Australia’s industry is adjusting. Panama TR4 is one of the greatest threats to worldwide banana production. Deemed not eradicable, there’s no cure and its rapid spread overseas through commercial banana growing regions has devastated industries and livelihoods. First discovered in Australia in 1997 in the Northern Territory TR4 wiped out commercial banana production there. In FNQ, it was discovered on a farm in 2015, then two nearby additional farms in 2017 and 2018. FNQ produces 94% of Australia’s bananas and with an annual farm gate value of over $600M is the region’s main economic driver. Since 2015, DAF committed to a collaborative approach with the Australian Banana Growers’ Council ensuring key stakeholders all work towards protecting the banana industry. DAF ensured all the elements worked together – biosecurity, research and development, diagnostics, and Panama TR4 education. DAF encouraged stakeholders’ active participation to facilitate industry resilience, recovery and sustainability. Growers are now ‘leaning in’ to the TR4 conversation to learn how they can be better prepared. The situation is dynamic and DAF’s biosecurity practices rely upon rigorous scientific knowledge that helps us to manage the disease in response to regulatory, grower and industry needs. The strong partnership between government and industry, with committed stakeholders, is giving Queensland a fighting chance to live sustainably with Panama TR4 and minimise its impact. In this presentation Panama TR4 Program Leader, Rhiannon Evans will share DAF’s experiences in the containment of Panama TR4 - the why and how, and lessons learned as we break new ground in the management of the disease in Australia.