Surveillance Training Underway
As the Australian Banana Growers’ Council (ABGC) prepares for the recommencement of surveillance operations , a dedicated group of Surveillance Officers (SO’s) are gearing up for the important role they’ll play in limiting the spread of Panama TR4 and supporting Far North Queensland banana growers. The service will be delivered by the TR4 Program, now referred to as ABGC Grower Support – (Biosecurity).
The training process to become an ABGC SO under the Biosecurity Act is thorough and thoughtful, ensuring each officer is fully equipped with the skills and knowledge to handle their responsibilities with confidence.
Officers begin by familiarising themselves with essential documentation. This foundational step helps them understand the core principles of biosecurity and their future responsibilities. All current trainees have varied previous experience working in biosecurity.
From there, it’s onto Queensland Government Biosecurity Training, which includes a mix of online courses and face-to-face learning tailored to state-specific regulations and protocols.
The training is structured through an online training platform, where officers work through various modules covering topics like Biosecurity Act Training, Risk-Based Decision Making and other key biosecurity issues.
This allows officers to gain a solid foundation in biosecurity protocols, ensuring they understand both their legal obligations and how to make informed decisions in challenging situations.
After completing the online modules, the next step in the training process is an immersive two-day, hands-on session, where the real preparation for surveillance begins, which will be led by a Biosecurity Queensland Inspector. This is followed by up to two weeks on farm looking for plant symptoms.
Suren Samuelian, an Authorised Officer with Biosecurity Queensland, has spent time supporting officers with practical biosecurity tasks including decontamination processes, learning to recognise disease symptoms, sampling, and surveillance operations. This is being conducted on-farm, allowing officers to walk banana paddocks gaining invaluable experience in real-world applications of their training. It is important to emphasise that these surveillance officers will be well versed in best practice biosecurity protocols, ensuring they ‘come clean, leave clean’ whenever they are working on-farm.
ABGC’s surveillance team will be ready to collaborate with growers, ensuring Queensland’s banana industry is equipped to limit the spread of this potentially devastating disease. Additionally, they will be equipped to advise growers on other support services available through the ABGC, helping to maintain and foster the growth of a healthy and sustainable banana industry.
If you have any questions, or if there’s anything else you’d like to discuss, please reach out to us at growersupport@abgc.org.au or visit our website at www.panamatr4protect.com.au
The Australian Banana Growers' Council (ABGC) is the peak industry body representing banana growers across Australia. The ABGC is dedicated to supporting growers with resources, advocacy, and initiatives that ensure the ongoing growth and success of the Australian banana industry.