Emergency situations on banana farms

Farm accidents are the leading cause of workplace fatalities in Australia, a devastating reality that rural communities often must deal with. But when an accident occurs on a banana farm, where does biosecurity fit into the equation?

Well, it’s simple – an emergency or saving life always takes precedent over biosecurity.

Recently the Panama TR4 Program met with local emergency services to discuss this process in detail.

When emergency services are called out to a banana farm with Panama TR4 (i.e. an infested property), decontamination processes need to be carried out on farm if possible. If decontamination processes can’t be undertaken on farm, they need to be carried out as soon as possible after the emergency has passed. All infested properties have full decontamination and wash down facilities available for use by visitors, including emergency services.

How do you know if a banana farm has Panama TR4? You will see this sign from the perimeter fencing.

On all other banana farms that have NOT been detected with Panama TR4, farm rules apply. However most importantly, the key message remains – an emergency or saving life always takes precedence over biosecurity.