No permit, no plant is the simple message from the National Banana Freckle Eradication Program as the clock ticks over to the start of Phase 3.

1 May 2016 marked the beginning of Phase 3 and the reintroduction of banana plants into the six Red Zones.

Kevin Cooper, State Coordinator, said Phase 3 is the most important part of the Program and thanked the Northern Territory community for their ongoing support.

“The hard work done by the community in Phase 1 and 2 has put the NT on-track to successfully eradicate Banana Freckle,” Mr Cooper said.

“From 1 May disease-free banana plants will be reintroduced to Red Zones, and then monitored until April 2017 to see if Banana Freckle returns.

“The reintroduction of plants is by permit only. No permit, no plant is the message we want to get out.

“Only banana plants sourced from accredited interstate suppliers, in areas accredited to be free of Banana Freckle, will be allowed in Red Zones.

“Every banana plant in Red Zones must be covered by a corresponding permit,” Mr Cooper said.

Permits are required to ensure only disease-free banana plants are introduced into Red Zones.

If community members in Red Zones want to replant banana plants, talk to your local nurseries and find out if they have banana plants for sale. If a local nursery has banana plants for purchase, you will need a permit. Apply for a permit at www.banana.nt.gov.au

“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