23/6/2022: Panama disease tropical race 4 (Panama TR4) has been detected on another commercial banana farm in the Tully Valley in Far North Queensland.

This will be the sixth property confirmed with the disease in the Tully Valley since it was first detected in Queensland in 2015.

The next generation of biosecurity champions are going bananas to protect Far North Queensland’s farms, thanks to a new children’s book about Panama disease tropical race 4 (Panama TR4).

Destruction zone on a property infested with Panama TR4 in Far North Queensland

Panama TR4 destruction zone on a farm in Far North Queensland

The Panama TR4 Program Management Board commissioned an independent review to examine patterns of spread of Panama TR4 in Far North Queensland, and whether existing control and containment strategies were sufficient. The review generated key actions for government, industry and growers, including recommended areas of research that will inform how the disease may be managed by industry from July 2023.