New rules to stop spread of potentially devastating banana fungus

Strict rules have been introduced to stop the spread of a potentially devastating banana fungus that took the industry by surprise.

Banana freckle disease has re-emerged in the Northern Territory, sparking fears the outbreak could threaten the banana industry.

This is the first time the fungal disease, which leaves a spotty, sandpaper texture on the fruit, has emerged since 2019.

So far, 17 properties have identified the disease, 16 of which are in the Batchelor and Rum Jungle areas around 95km south of Darwin, and in one other remote property.

The previous banana freckle outbreak in 2013 was officially eradicated by 2019, however the latest infections have the banana industry worried.

Provisions are in place to stop travellers spreading the disease across the country, with banana produce banned from crossing state borders.

Banana freckle appears as a spotty, sandpaper texture on the fruit. Picture: DPIF

Northern Territory Farmers Association Chief Executive, Paul Burke, told 3AW banana freckle wasn’t expected to make its comeback this quickly.

“We were certainly pretty confident that we had banana freckle in the rear vision mirror,” Mr Burke said.

“It just goes to show that biosecurity is such an important part of any business nowadays.”

Commercial banana farmers in the region are unable to move their produce as fears of spreading the disease increase, leaving them with little to no business or income.

“We’re really conscious that we’re at the front line and we’ve got to stop it in the Northern Territory,” Mr Burke said.

“The banana industry in Queensland is a massive industry, and we’ve got to keep it here and eradicate it here in the Northern Territory.”

Farmers in these regions are encouraged to keep an eye on their plants and report anything that looks suspicious.

NT banana farmers have been banned from moving their crop interstate. Picture: TTNQ

During its outbreak in 2013, authorities developed a four phase plan to eradicate the banana freckle before it spread to other parts of the country.

In phase one, over 500,000 banana plants across 9,500 properties were destroyed, despite banana freckle only being discovered and treated on 260 farms.

Phase two required a six month period, including a wet season, of disease free plants, with phase three monitoring surviving plants for symptoms of the disease.

The final phase was reached on February 1, 2019 where total eradication of banana freckle was declared alongside proof of freedom.