Surveillance program for Panama disease tropical race 4 (compliance)
A surveillance program for Panama disease tropical race 4 (compliance) has been authorised under the Biosecurity Act 2014.
Biosecurity matter
The biosecurity matter to which the biosecurity program relates is Panama disease tropical race 4 (also known as fusarium wilt of banana, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense tropical race 4).
Purpose and scope
The purpose of the biosecurity program is to contain and prevent the spread of Panama disease tropical race 4 by:
- monitoring the movement of matter and carriers from infested properties and suspect properties, for compliance with Panama disease tropical race 4 requirements in the Biosecurity Act 2014 and subordinate legislation;
- monitoring the effects of measures taken on infested properties and suspect properties in response to biosecurity risk to determine their effectiveness and to ensure that biosecurity risk is minimised; and
- monitoring compliance with requirements of a regulatory notice, biosecurity order and/or injunction or other legislative tools, and directions issued by authorised officers. The biosecurity program will apply to any Panama disease tropical race 4 infested properties and suspect properties in Queensland as identified in official records held by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries under Panama TR4 Program. Whilst the focus of the biosecurity program is the commercial banana growing region in northern Queensland, infested and suspect premises may be identified through surveillance in any part of the State.
Commencement and duration
The biosecurity program started on 1 July 2016 and will continue until such time as the disease is considered no longer containable or the chief executive revokes the biosecurity program.
Access to biosecurity program
A copy of the biosecurity program for surveillance of Panama disease tropical race 4 (compliance) (PDF, 372.5KB) is available for inspection at all Department of Agriculture and Fisheries offices.
A free copy can be provided on request by contacting our customer service centre.