1 00:00:00,120 --> 00:00:02,240 Speaker 1: Now, if you've lived in the territory for a little while, 2 00:00:02,240 --> 00:00:05,160 Speaker 1: you will know that banana freckle is something that's obviously 3 00:00:05,200 --> 00:00:08,240 Speaker 1: been a concern and the Northern Territory government say that 4 00:00:08,280 --> 00:00:11,840 Speaker 1: they are continuing surveillance for plants which have been infected 5 00:00:11,840 --> 00:00:14,640 Speaker 1: with banana freckle or that could have been after the 6 00:00:14,680 --> 00:00:18,520 Speaker 1: detection of the disease at twelve new sites. Now joining 7 00:00:18,520 --> 00:00:20,119 Speaker 1: me on the line to tell us a little bit 8 00:00:20,160 --> 00:00:23,960 Speaker 1: more about the situation is the Northern Territory's Chief Plant 9 00:00:24,160 --> 00:00:29,320 Speaker 1: Health Officer, doctor Ann Walters. Good morning to you, Anne, Sorry, 10 00:00:29,400 --> 00:00:31,720 Speaker 1: let me just try that again. Good morning to you Anne. 11 00:00:32,640 --> 00:00:33,560 Speaker 2: Hello, how you going? 12 00:00:33,640 --> 00:00:35,960 Speaker 1: Yeah pretty well? Thank you so much for your time 13 00:00:36,040 --> 00:00:38,839 Speaker 1: this morning. And can you tell us a little bit 14 00:00:38,840 --> 00:00:41,800 Speaker 1: more about where the banana freckle has now been located. 15 00:00:43,120 --> 00:00:45,600 Speaker 2: Yeah, so we now have founded at twenty nine sites 16 00:00:45,640 --> 00:00:48,720 Speaker 2: across the Northern Territory, the majority of the sites at 17 00:00:48,800 --> 00:00:51,280 Speaker 2: Bachelor and Rum Jungle, but we've also found it in 18 00:00:51,400 --> 00:00:54,840 Speaker 2: Fly Creek in Marika and on the Tiwei Islands. 19 00:00:56,200 --> 00:00:58,400 Speaker 1: And tell us what this means, you know, for the 20 00:00:58,400 --> 00:01:00,760 Speaker 1: banana industry right now in the territory. 21 00:01:02,080 --> 00:01:04,080 Speaker 2: Well, what it means is that this is obviously a 22 00:01:04,120 --> 00:01:07,200 Speaker 2: significant test of bananas, and whilst it doesn't affect the 23 00:01:07,360 --> 00:01:09,920 Speaker 2: quality of the fruit, it can reduce the yields of 24 00:01:10,000 --> 00:01:12,880 Speaker 2: the production. It can also affect the look of the 25 00:01:12,880 --> 00:01:16,160 Speaker 2: bananas and make them less palatable. And so from an 26 00:01:16,160 --> 00:01:18,600 Speaker 2: industry perspective, what we're trying to do is make sure 27 00:01:18,640 --> 00:01:22,200 Speaker 2: that this doesn't spread to other areas, so that we 28 00:01:22,240 --> 00:01:25,040 Speaker 2: can actually protect our industry and ensure that our bananas 29 00:01:25,080 --> 00:01:27,880 Speaker 2: continue to look the way that they do in the shops, 30 00:01:27,959 --> 00:01:30,240 Speaker 2: mass and yellow, but also so that our growers can 31 00:01:30,400 --> 00:01:33,440 Speaker 2: continue to enjoy the production and yields that they currently. 32 00:01:33,120 --> 00:01:35,920 Speaker 1: Get in So twenty nine sites now and I know 33 00:01:36,120 --> 00:01:38,800 Speaker 1: that you know these is obviously showing that it's a 34 00:01:38,800 --> 00:01:41,480 Speaker 1: bit more widespread than what was initially thought. 35 00:01:42,240 --> 00:01:44,560 Speaker 2: Yeah, that's correct. So initially when we were sort of 36 00:01:44,600 --> 00:01:46,800 Speaker 2: planning around this, we really thought it was sort of 37 00:01:46,880 --> 00:01:50,320 Speaker 2: localized to the Run, Jungle and Bachelor region, and more 38 00:01:50,360 --> 00:01:54,160 Speaker 2: recently we found it in other areas. What's really interesting 39 00:01:54,200 --> 00:01:57,520 Speaker 2: about this infestation or this incursion of banana freckle is 40 00:01:57,560 --> 00:01:59,440 Speaker 2: that it seems to be at really low levels in 41 00:01:59,480 --> 00:02:02,200 Speaker 2: most of the locations that we're finding it. So in 42 00:02:02,280 --> 00:02:04,520 Speaker 2: some places we're finding only one or two plants that 43 00:02:04,520 --> 00:02:07,040 Speaker 2: are infected or very few plants, and where it is 44 00:02:07,120 --> 00:02:10,280 Speaker 2: there is infection, it's quite mild infection. So it suggests 45 00:02:10,280 --> 00:02:12,519 Speaker 2: that we caught it early. But what it does ask 46 00:02:12,760 --> 00:02:15,480 Speaker 2: about is how it's moving or how it's spreading into these. 47 00:02:15,440 --> 00:02:18,800 Speaker 1: Areas, and so what you know at this stage what 48 00:02:19,000 --> 00:02:20,760 Speaker 1: action has to be taken. 49 00:02:21,880 --> 00:02:24,400 Speaker 2: Well, what we did. There's the way the plant bi 50 00:02:24,480 --> 00:02:27,600 Speaker 2: security system works is that there's a national committee made 51 00:02:27,639 --> 00:02:31,560 Speaker 2: up of my position in other locations as well as industry, 52 00:02:31,840 --> 00:02:33,560 Speaker 2: and they get together and they talk about what we 53 00:02:33,600 --> 00:02:36,080 Speaker 2: need to do. So met and they discussed that when 54 00:02:36,120 --> 00:02:37,640 Speaker 2: we thought it was sort of localized to the Rum, 55 00:02:37,720 --> 00:02:40,040 Speaker 2: Jungle and Bachelor region, and we came up with a 56 00:02:40,080 --> 00:02:42,040 Speaker 2: plan to that, and then of course when we found 57 00:02:42,040 --> 00:02:43,840 Speaker 2: it more widespread, we really have to go back and 58 00:02:43,840 --> 00:02:45,560 Speaker 2: revise that plan and have a look at what the 59 00:02:45,560 --> 00:02:48,520 Speaker 2: best approach is for the Northern Territory community, for Northern 60 00:02:48,600 --> 00:02:51,079 Speaker 2: Territory growers, but also the national industry. 61 00:02:51,720 --> 00:02:54,640 Speaker 1: Yeah, I mean what impact could it have, if you know, 62 00:02:54,919 --> 00:03:00,519 Speaker 1: on on Northern Territory growers if it does continue to spread. 63 00:03:00,680 --> 00:03:02,760 Speaker 2: Well, the thing I guess that we're really concerned about 64 00:03:02,840 --> 00:03:05,560 Speaker 2: is whilst our banana industry is quite small at the moment, 65 00:03:05,600 --> 00:03:08,799 Speaker 2: there is interest in expansion and as you know, we're 66 00:03:08,840 --> 00:03:11,520 Speaker 2: all interested in economic development in the Northern Territory and 67 00:03:11,520 --> 00:03:13,960 Speaker 2: what we're really not keen to see is having a 68 00:03:13,960 --> 00:03:17,000 Speaker 2: disease that will potentially affect the ability of businesses to 69 00:03:17,120 --> 00:03:18,240 Speaker 2: expand in the future. 70 00:03:19,000 --> 00:03:22,040 Speaker 1: Right So at this point in time, I guess you know, 71 00:03:22,080 --> 00:03:25,920 Speaker 1: from your perspective and certainly from the Northern Territory Government's perspective, 72 00:03:25,960 --> 00:03:28,359 Speaker 1: it is a real sort of monitoring the situation and 73 00:03:28,440 --> 00:03:30,240 Speaker 1: keeping an incredibly close eye on. 74 00:03:30,200 --> 00:03:33,600 Speaker 2: It that's correct, and coming up with the best approach 75 00:03:33,639 --> 00:03:35,560 Speaker 2: that we possibly can for industry and. 76 00:03:35,560 --> 00:03:38,560 Speaker 1: For our community and for those out there listening who 77 00:03:38,560 --> 00:03:41,360 Speaker 1: maybe haven't been in the territory for a very long time. 78 00:03:41,560 --> 00:03:44,600 Speaker 1: Banana freckles we have had an impact in the past, 79 00:03:44,640 --> 00:03:46,320 Speaker 1: haven't we. 80 00:03:46,320 --> 00:03:49,320 Speaker 2: We have, and we had a huge eradication program between 81 00:03:49,320 --> 00:03:53,280 Speaker 2: twenty thirteen and twenty nineteen to eradicate banana freckle, and 82 00:03:53,320 --> 00:03:56,040 Speaker 2: that involved removal of a lot of banana plants across 83 00:03:56,080 --> 00:04:00,120 Speaker 2: the Northern Territory. Some people obviously were very reluctant to 84 00:04:00,120 --> 00:04:03,680 Speaker 2: lose their plant, which we understand and obviously what we 85 00:04:03,720 --> 00:04:06,080 Speaker 2: need to do now is very sensitive about the issues 86 00:04:06,120 --> 00:04:07,880 Speaker 2: of the past as well as making sure that we 87 00:04:07,920 --> 00:04:10,240 Speaker 2: can protect the industry and our farmers for the future. 88 00:04:10,600 --> 00:04:13,440 Speaker 1: Is it quite like a nervous time now for the 89 00:04:13,480 --> 00:04:15,560 Speaker 1: department and also for those growers. 90 00:04:16,920 --> 00:04:19,960 Speaker 2: Well, it's a time where we feel, really we feel 91 00:04:19,960 --> 00:04:22,360 Speaker 2: that it's very important that we make a good decision 92 00:04:22,680 --> 00:04:24,480 Speaker 2: and a decision that we keep in mind the best 93 00:04:24,480 --> 00:04:27,520 Speaker 2: interests of everyone. And it is a really difficult situation 94 00:04:27,640 --> 00:04:30,120 Speaker 2: because obviously we want to make sure that we do 95 00:04:30,360 --> 00:04:33,520 Speaker 2: the best for our industry but also the best for 96 00:04:33,560 --> 00:04:36,280 Speaker 2: our community, and it's not always clear that the two 97 00:04:36,320 --> 00:04:37,000 Speaker 2: are aligned. 98 00:04:37,640 --> 00:04:39,920 Speaker 1: Yeah, it makes it tough, but I know that I'm 99 00:04:39,960 --> 00:04:42,360 Speaker 1: sure that you guys are all working very closely together 100 00:04:42,520 --> 00:04:44,320 Speaker 1: to try to make sure that it's the best possible 101 00:04:44,360 --> 00:04:45,960 Speaker 1: outcome for the territory as well. 102 00:04:47,000 --> 00:04:49,640 Speaker 2: Absolutely, that's the key thing for us at this point 103 00:04:49,640 --> 00:04:50,000 Speaker 2: in time. 104 00:04:50,360 --> 00:04:51,960 Speaker 1: Just before I let you go, I mean, is there 105 00:04:52,000 --> 00:04:55,479 Speaker 1: anything for us, as you know, as people who enjoy 106 00:04:55,520 --> 00:04:58,120 Speaker 1: bananas that we need to sort of be aware of 107 00:04:58,560 --> 00:05:00,560 Speaker 1: or anything that we need to keep it eye out for. 108 00:05:01,720 --> 00:05:04,040 Speaker 2: Well, the thing that would be fantastic from our perspective 109 00:05:04,080 --> 00:05:05,640 Speaker 2: is that we would love for people to go out 110 00:05:05,680 --> 00:05:08,599 Speaker 2: and have a look at their banana plant. Banana freckle. 111 00:05:08,800 --> 00:05:11,599 Speaker 2: The key factor with it is it's like small brown 112 00:05:11,720 --> 00:05:14,279 Speaker 2: or black spots on the plants. But the thing is 113 00:05:14,320 --> 00:05:16,640 Speaker 2: if you run your finger over, it feels like sam paper, 114 00:05:16,680 --> 00:05:18,600 Speaker 2: and that's one of the factors. So often that it's 115 00:05:18,720 --> 00:05:21,039 Speaker 2: very smooth, that in this case you will feel like 116 00:05:21,160 --> 00:05:24,280 Speaker 2: it's rubbing your finger over sam paper. If you see 117 00:05:24,320 --> 00:05:26,240 Speaker 2: those symptoms, it would be fan classic. If you could 118 00:05:26,240 --> 00:05:29,080 Speaker 2: report them to us on one eight hundred, you're eight 119 00:05:29,160 --> 00:05:32,760 Speaker 2: four eight eight one. Alternatively, if people would like to 120 00:05:32,839 --> 00:05:34,720 Speaker 2: let us know that they're banana plants are free haze 121 00:05:34,720 --> 00:05:37,320 Speaker 2: ban ua freckle, that information is also really valuable to 122 00:05:37,400 --> 00:05:39,080 Speaker 2: us because it means that we know where it's not 123 00:05:39,600 --> 00:05:41,920 Speaker 2: and that can help us with our strategy. So people 124 00:05:41,960 --> 00:05:44,560 Speaker 2: want to give us a call or alternatively email us 125 00:05:44,560 --> 00:05:47,479 Speaker 2: at plants via security at MP dot DO dot au. 126 00:05:47,880 --> 00:05:50,280 Speaker 2: Any information that we can get will be really valuable. 127 00:05:50,600 --> 00:05:52,840 Speaker 1: And just on the fact I know that you'd pointed 128 00:05:52,880 --> 00:05:55,640 Speaker 1: out a bit earlier that you know what's been interesting 129 00:05:55,640 --> 00:05:58,640 Speaker 1: at some of the locations where it has been located, 130 00:05:58,680 --> 00:06:00,880 Speaker 1: that it's on some of the plants, but not all 131 00:06:00,960 --> 00:06:02,280 Speaker 1: of them. Is that unusual. 132 00:06:04,040 --> 00:06:06,279 Speaker 2: The thing about banana freckle is that it tends to 133 00:06:06,279 --> 00:06:09,560 Speaker 2: be on Cabindish varieties, but it will also be on others. 134 00:06:09,760 --> 00:06:11,560 Speaker 2: I think what we're seeing though, is that it might 135 00:06:11,600 --> 00:06:14,200 Speaker 2: be on one plant that's a cavendish and there's other 136 00:06:14,240 --> 00:06:16,359 Speaker 2: cavendishes next to it, and it's not on that. So 137 00:06:16,400 --> 00:06:19,159 Speaker 2: what its like is that where we found it really early, 138 00:06:19,440 --> 00:06:22,640 Speaker 2: which is great in terms of eradication or whatever management 139 00:06:22,680 --> 00:06:25,960 Speaker 2: approach we decide on, because the sooner you can find something, obviously, 140 00:06:26,000 --> 00:06:28,560 Speaker 2: the better it is to manage it. So it's a 141 00:06:28,560 --> 00:06:31,279 Speaker 2: really positive sign for us. But it's interesting as well. 142 00:06:31,400 --> 00:06:35,680 Speaker 1: Yeah. Well, Northern Territory Chief Plant Health Officer, Doctor Anne Walters, 143 00:06:35,720 --> 00:06:38,280 Speaker 1: we really appreciate your time this morning. Thanks so much 144 00:06:38,279 --> 00:06:39,279 Speaker 1: for having a chat with us. 145 00:06:40,080 --> 00:06:40,960 Speaker 2: Oh, it's such a pleasure. 146 00:06:41,000 --> 00:06:42,160 Speaker 1: Thank you, thank you.