Since the first detection of Panama TR4 in the Tully Valley in 2015 the banana industry has needed to bolster banana farm biosecurity.

The Queensland Government has worked closely with the Australian Banana Growers’ Council (ABGC) and growers to contain and control the disease to the Tully Valley. Currently there are eight infested properties with the disease in the Tully Valley.

The Panama TR4 Program will cease on 30 June 2023, making way for an ABGC led, TR4 Control Program. The new program will continue to uphold the high standard of surveillance and operations established by Biosecurity Queensland, including continuation of the current surveillance schedule.

Underpinning the management and control of Panama TR4 on properties with the disease is a new Code of Practice. The code and applies to commercial banana properties infected with Panama TR4.

The code incorporates best practice farm management principles in addition to specific TR4 treatment measures. The code replaces the requirements of the Notice of presence of Panama disease Tropical Race 4 and the Biosecurity Manual (destruction protocol.)