The National Banana Freckle Eradication Program is on-track to deliver the first of three shipments of sentinel banana plants to Red Zones. The plants are currently being propagated at Katherine Research Station and will be distributed from May 2016.

The 1500 tester banana plants have been obtained from areas outside the Northern Territory that are accredited to be free of banana freckle. The tester plants will be used to show if Banana Freckle has been eradicated from the Northern Territory.

Kevin Cooper, State Coordinator for the Program, said around 9000 sentinel banana plants will eventually be distributed in Red Zones.

“The Sentinel Planting is the most important part of the Program and we thank those in the community who have already agreed to take part,” Mr Cooper said.

“If you have been invited to participate in the Sentinel Planting please RSVP, or call the hotline if you need more information.

“The sentinel banana plants will be distributed to the six Red Zones, and then monitored until May 2017 to see if Banana Freckle infects the plants.

“The Tiwi, Ramingining and Daly River/Nauiyu Red Zones will be the first to receive their sentinel plants as they have a strong commitment to eradicating Banana Freckle.

“A small number of households in the Greater Darwin Red Zone will also receive their sentinel plants from the first shipment around the middle of May.

“The efforts by the NT community to date will ensure Australia has the best possible chance to show we have eradicated Banana Freckle,” Mr Cooper said.

From 1 May 2016 only banana plants covered by a permit will be permitted in Red Zones. All plants must be sourced from areas accredited to be free of banana freckle.

“Program inspectors will continue to monitor Red Zones and make visits to properties, and those found to have banana plants not covered by a permit can be fined,” Mr Cooper said.

Territorians are reminded not to bring banana plants or suckers into any of the six Red Zones. Movement and quarantine controls will remain in place until Red Zones are declared free of Banana Freckle.

For more information contact the Banana Freckle Hotline on 1800 771 163 or email banana@nt.gov.au

Media contact: Bill Whitington (08) 8999 2107