Media Release

Northern Territory Government

Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade

Banana freckle detected at additional sites the Top End

12 July 2022

Banana freckle has been detected at 13 sites in the Northern Territory’s Top End.

There are now 12 infected premises (IPs) in the Batchelor-Rum Jungle region.

On Friday afternoon, banana freckle was confirmed on a single leaf on a single plant in a secure area of a government research facility in the Middle Point area. Additional testing is underway on banana trees surrounding the plant with the initial infection. All banana trees at the site will be destroyed and disposed of on the property.

Banana freckle is a fungal disease of banana leaves and fruit. There is no risk to human health from eating affected bananas.

Landowners of IPs have been notified that they are not allowed to move plant products, material or equipment from the property to help stop the spread of the disease.

Additional testing of samples from 4 further properties in the Batchelor-Rum Jungle region are underway.

Surveillance is continuing to determine the extent of the outbreak, with more than 130 properties examined so far. The Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade (the department) would like to thank growers and landowners for their assistance in helping determine where this disease is and is not located.

Plant biosecurity officers are undertaking surveillance across the Top End. They are following strict biosecurity decontamination protocols when entering and exiting any premises to prevent the risk of spreading the disease.

Banana freckle is a 'wet spore' organism. It generally moves short distances by water droplet splashes and wind-driven rain. The pest is spread over larger distances by people moving infected fruit, leaves and suckers used for planting.

Banana freckle causes spotting on banana leaves and fruit. More information about the signs of the disease are available online at: nt.gov.au/banana-freckle [https://nt.gov.au/industry/agriculture/food-crops-plants-and-quarantine/banana-freckle]

Banana freckle is an emergency plant pest. If you suspect plants may be infested, you must report it. You can do this by phoning the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881.

Quotes from the Northern Territory’s Chief Plant Health Officer, Dr Anne Walters:

“The Northern Territory Government’s Biosecurity NT team would like to thank everyone who has been helping us with surveillance. This includes people who have sent photographs of unusual signs on their plants to [plantbiosecurity@nt.gov.au]

“We’re currently investigating how this case of banana freckle has emerged at a secure government research facility, and are urging people to be vigilant for the disease which is spread by wind and rain.

“Our plant biosecurity officers are regularly meeting with the Northern Territory Farmers Association, the Australian Banana Growers’ Council and Greenlife Industry Australia while our response plan is considered by national approval and funding bodies.

“Banana freckle is a serious threat to the industry. It decreases plant health and productivity by reducing the amount of healthy leaf area, and affects fruit quality and appearance, even though the fruit are still safe to eat.

“We’re asking Territorians to continue assisting us in our efforts to protect the growers and the industry by monitoring for suspected cases of banana freckle and reporting them to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881.”

Quotes from NT Farmers CEO, Paul Burke:

“NT Farmers continues to engage in the process, and support growers and industry to ensure the best outcome for all parties involved during this difficult time.

“Industry urges anyone with banana plants that don’t appear to be normal to call the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881.”

ENDS.

Media contact - Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade: 0409 640 859

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