Protecting Australia’s Banana Industry
The Federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) has announced a review of quarantine arrangements following a formal request from the Philippines to allow fresh banana imports into Australia.
The Australian Banana Growers’ Council (ABGC) strongly opposes this proposal. Imports are unnecessary and pose unacceptable risks to our growers, our industry, and our communities.
Contact: [email protected]
Latest News
December 2025
12 December
Features in Australian Bananas magazine:
What you can do now
- Make sure you’re signed up to ABGC communications. Send an email to [email protected] if you’re not receiving e-bulletins, SMS updates or magazines.
- Become an ABGC Member. Don’t start 2026 on the sidelines! Make sure you’re part of the action and receiving exclusive updates on ABGC advocacy.
- Write to your MP. Growers are encouraged to send a letter to Members of Parliament to express their concerns. Download a template below.
- Contribute to BIFF! From 1 January, the Banana Imports Committee will be accepting voluntary contributions to the BIFF, at 0.5c per carton (half a cent).
A message from Paul Inderbitzin – Chair, Banana Imports Committee
The banana industry has a track record of uniting behind a cause – and the Banana Imports Committee is calling for your support in 2026.
From 1 January, we’ll be accepting voluntary contributions to the Banana Imports Fighting Fund at 0.5 cents per kilogram. We’ll keep this open for one year, until 31 December 2026.
In September, the Federal Government announced a review into quarantine measures to allow fresh banana imports from the Philippines into Australia.
Our position is clear: imports are unnecessary and pose an unacceptable risk to Australian growers.
Your voluntary contribution will help us execute our science-backed argument, through lobbying, targeted research, communications and more. Already our efforts are paying off, with public support from several high-profile politicians, widespread media coverage and the inclusion of a banana farming expert as part of a technical team visit to the Philippines.
WRITE TO YOUR MP
Growers are encouraged to use this letter template and send it to Members of Parliament to add even more weight to ABGC’s already intensive lobbying initiatives.
Past events | UPDATES
21 November: E-bulletin update (National Agriculture Day) and Media Release
7 November: E-bulletin update
13-16 October: Information sessions held by DAFF. Read more here
8 October: National Banana Day. Read ABGC’s media release
24 September: ABGC industry meeting. Read the factsheets provided here
16 September: Federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry makes the announcement. Read ABGC’s media release
