Threat to Australian bananas

[Burn]

I'm curious as to how many of you guys down south have actually heard of this news and the impact it may have not just on the local area, but the country as a whole.

Panama Disease Tropical Race 4 confirmed (http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/in-depth/panama-disease-fears-for-queensland-600m-banana-crop/story-fni2wt8c-1227248316124)

Now at the moment it's only been confirmed on one farm. So you might be thinking "well ... so what?"

For starters, it's a $600m industry. This same disease wiped out the banana industry in the Northern Territory. For this area to lose that industry would be a massive blow to the economy. The area is still recovering from Cyclones Larry and Yasi.

"But again, how would it affect me?"

Remember back in 2006 when Cyclone Larry hit the region? The price of bananas sky rocketed. If the disease gets hold, the same thing could happen.

Not all bananas will be wiped out, this particular strain only affects the Cavendish variety (the main type of bananas sold in stores), other types aren't affected. And there are other parts of Australia that grow bananas, but even those areas will have trouble keeping up with the demand.

Which leads to importing.

Bananas are one of the few foods that we DON'T import. Primarily because of the threat of other plant diseases that could be introduced which could damage other crops. (Plus let's not forget the recent scare with Nanna's Berries and the not-so-stringent quality controls there).

So what I really want to ask is, how many of you are actually aware of this and how it could affect the country?
(I know the media has a tendency to give more attention to Kim Kardashian's arse than real home grown issues)

[Tetsuwan Convoy]

Nope.
Although I did hear there was a cyclone that damaged some crops. Naturally at the mere whisper of a cyclone destroying banana crops, the prices increase exponentially.

I bet it's the same with this possible outbreak. I hope they manage to stop it in its tracks. Australia needs to keep it's produce up.

[griffin]

It's been on the news in Brisbane a couple times (that I've seen... but I watch a lot of channel 24 and SBS news).

[i_amtrunks]

I've seen a few stories on abc as well.

Won't hit the celebrity news program's (7, 9, 10) until the worst has happened and prices have gone through the roof.

[Raider]

I admit I was completely oblivious to this. Here's hoping it is contained.

[Omega Supreme]

Had no idea that this is happening, I love bananas and recall last time the prices increased they were costing nearly $2 each a few years back. Not impressed with the prospect of this occurring again!

[Paulbot]

"Yes, we have no bananas!"

But no, I didn't know anything about it.

[Trent]

Yeah I know. Have been reading about it. Hope it gets contained and doesn't affect anyone else.

What I don't understand is why Australia is so reliant on Cavendish bananas. Considering just how many varieties there are in the world you'd have thought that there would be a market for different types.

[Deonasis]

Yeah I know. Have been reading about it. Hope it gets contained and doesn't affect anyone else.

What I don't understand is why Australia is so reliant on Cavendish bananas. Considering just how many varieties there are in the world you'd have thought that there would be a market for different types.

I would hazard a guess that Cavendish is (in part) grown because that is what the 2 big supermarkets want.

I hear a lot about this outbreak on abc radio national. My family sells product to this industry so we will feel the flow on effect if it is significantly damaged. This hardy disease is extremely worrying news for all involved.

[Hursticon]

Yep, heard about this on ABC 24 about a week or so ago.

Not good at all, would love to see Woolworths & Coles give back to the industry & communities by investing in the protection and eradication of this Massive Agricultural threat...

...I think we know what will happen there though. :o

[tron07]

That's is the risk of planting the same tree/clone (monoculture), bred for high yield and resistant to certain common diseases. If a new thing that target that culture, it can easily wipe out the entire crop cause its virtually a clone from the original tree.

[Hursticon]

That's is the risk of planting the same tree/clone (monoculture), bred for high yield and resistant to certain common diseases. If a new thing that target that culture, it can easily wipe out the entire crop cause its virtually a clone from the original tree.

True, but I wonder if there were laws preventing this breed from being genetically modified to combat such threats - do you think?

[Burn]

The thing is though, this isn't a new disease, it's been around for decades overseas and in the Northern Territory, they've just never found a way to destroy it.

It's interesting that some have heard about it and some haven't. I've heard from others in town that have spoken to out-of-towners who knew nothing about it.

Some locals are also fearful that people will be put off eating bananas because of it. Though there's no need to be.

The big problem at the moment is a lot of banana farmers aren't turning a profit, the price of bananas are low to the point the market price doesn't even cover production costs. So they don't have a lot of money to put into quarantine procedures.

And yeah, Woolies and Coles could help out, but given how they've been screwing farmers over for years, that won't be happening any time soon unfortunately, nor do I see either the State or Federal Governments stepping in as they're not overly supportive of agriculture up this way.

[Paulbot]

That's is the risk of planting the same tree/clone (monoculture), bred for high yield and resistant to certain common diseases. If a new thing that target that culture, it can easily wipe out the entire crop cause its virtually a clone from the original tree.

Bananas are clones? This finally explains B1 and B2. :)