NEWS RELEASE
18 September 2009
Banana Bunchy Top National Biosecurity Officer
appointed for southeast Queensland
In the fight against one of the most important viruses affecting banana production, a
Biosecurity Officer has been appointed to the National Banana Bunchy Top Eradication
Program in southeast Queensland.
Ms Edith Nicholls has taken on the role of Biosecurity Officer for the new three year national
project to begin the elimination of banana bunchy top virus (BBTV) in the subtropical banana
industry, as the first stage towards the complete eradication of the virus from Australia.
The project is being funded by the national banana industry levy which is managed by
Horticulture Australia Limited, with matched funding from the Australian Government. In
Queensland, the project is being managed by Biosecurity Queensland, Queensland Primary
Industries and Fisheries for the Australian Banana Growers’ Council (ABGC).
Ms. Nicholls, an honours graduate in agricultural science, will be responsible for the banana
bunchy top detection and control project in southeast Queensland from Bundaberg to the
New South Wales border. Ms Nicholls will be based at the department’s Nambour office.
“The National Banana Bunchy Top Virus Management project will address the problem in
commercial and peri-urban environments — we need to stamp out the virus not only in
banana plantations, but also where it is found on hobby farms and backyards,” said Ms.
Nicholls.
Bunchy top is considered one of the most devastating viral diseases of bananas worldwide.
Affected plants do not produce fruit, resulting in significant loss of production if the virus is
allowed to spread, either by affected plant material or banana aphids.
The only places where bunchy top is currently found in Australia are the banana growing
areas in southeast Queensland and in far northern New South Wales.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Banana Growers’ Council, Mr Tony Heidrich,
said “We are dedicated to the eradication of the virus in Australia and while this is an initial
three year project, there is a 10 year plan to achieve this goal, with full support from the
ABGC for the program.”
“We are calling on all banana growers and the community in affected areas to assist in
making this project successful. Their cooperation will be vital in our efforts to eradicate
bunchy top from Australia.”
“If bunchy top was to spread to the main growing regions in far north Queensland it would be
disastrous for our industry, so we aim to prevent its spread and eradicate it completely,” said
Mr. Heidrich.
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For further information:
Tony Heidrich - ph 32784786 or 0427 987 499
QPIF spokesperson – Dr Suzy Perry, ph 07 32393953
Released by Neville Sloss, Green PR, 0414 562 010
on behalf of ABGC & Subtropical Banana Industry Communications
NEWS 
