Content from Biosecurity Queensland

Biosecurity Queensland officers are currently visiting the highest risk growers that were identified in the Panama TR4 tracing and surveillance strategy review.

The officers are working with these growers to ensure they are aware of the biosecurity obligations they would need to meet if Panama TR4 was detected on their property and to offer advice and information on being prepared for Panama TR4.

Farm, production downtime can be minimised if effective biosecurity measures are in place and the property owner/manager has a good understanding of these obligations. Biosecurity Queensland is here to support growers to be back in business as soon as possible.

For more information about surveillance and tracing visit our website here and read the section on Panama TR4 tracing and surveillance strategy review.

Calling all growers

Please ensure the contact phone numbers on your biosecurity farm gate signs are correct and legible. This enables service providers to notify property owners prior to entry. If you require more farm gate signs please contact Justine Thorp at the Panama TR4 Program on 4091 8140 or email panamatr4@daf.qld.gov.au.

Keep up biosecurity in wet weather

Growers are reminded to ‘come clean, leave clean’ and wash and decontaminate equipment that has been in contact with banana plant material or soil, even in wet weather.

Here’s some tips for maintaining biosecurity measures in wet weather:

• limit traffic on the property as much as possible
• direct vehicles to stick to formed roads
• prevent run-off from escaping wash-down areas by installing bunds
• avoid blasting mud outside of wash-down bays. Less water pressure and a scrubbing brush to clean vehicles or equipment can contain excess mud.
• check viability of disinfectants in decontamination stations after rain or strong UV rays.