Seventh detection of Panama TR4 in the Tully Valley

A new case of Panama disease tropical race 4 (Panama TR4) has been confirmed on a commercial banana farm in close proximity to existing infested properties in the Tully Valley, Far North Queensland.

The Panama TR4 Program has issued a regulatory notice on the property and is working closely with the property owners to limit spread of the disease and protect the broader banana industry.

This is the first plant on the property to return a positive result for Panama TR4. Further testing will be undertaken to provide additional confidence of the diagnostic result for Panama TR4.

Panama TR4 cannot be eradicated and long-term management is required.

The program remains focussed on transitioning disease management from Government to the peak industry representative, the Australian Banana Growers’ Council (ABGC), by July 2023. The ABGC have developed an in-depth understanding of how the Panama TR4 Program delivers control and containment activities for this disease and are taking the lead in externally communicating this announcement.