GRower Support (Biosecurity)
Management of Panama disease Tropical Race 4 (TR4) is led by the Australian Banana Growers’ Council on behalf on industry, through the Grower Support (Biosecurity) program. Visit the dedicated site for more information.
The program
The Grower Support (Biosecurity) Program is delivered by the Australian Banana Growers’ Council.
It is responsible for managing Panama TR4 on behalf of industry through grower support and extension, surveillance, representation in policy discussions and promoting awareness of biosecurity.
The program is funded by grower levies through Plant Health Australia and is delivered in Far North Queensland.
Latest Program News
Cassowary Coast Feral Pig Aerial Culling Program
Cassowary Coast Regional Council is planning an aerial feral pig control program for late October to early November,
Walking the talk with surveillance
ABGC and the Grower Support Field Crew are committed to delivering value
to Queensland’s banana industry.
1080 baiting program – subsidies still available!
ABGC invites expressions of interest from growers wishing to participate in this subsidised feral pig control program.
Panama TR4
What we do
Resources
Current situation
Since the first detection in Far North Queensland in March 2015:
Infested properties: 11
Infested property locations: Tully Valley
The disease is present in the Tully Valley, in the Cassowary Coast region of Far North Queensland.
How we got here
After the region’s first detection in 2015 Biosecurity Queensland established the Panama TR4 Program, which focused on early detection through surveillance on commercial banana farms in FNQ, and compliance on known infested properties.
With the ABGC co-funding the Panama TR4 Program since 2019, a Management Board of equal government and industry representation was established to deliver and govern the Program’s strategic direction until 30 June 2023.
From 1 July, 2023, the Australian Banana Growers’ Council has managed the disease on behalf of industry and is guided by a Steering Committee. The program is now called Grower Support (Biosecurity), reflecting the move from initial response to supporting industry for the future.
