Market access negotiated for banana industry

Published Monday, 21 April, 2014 at 03:00 PM

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
The Honourable John McVeigh

North Queensland banana farmers have received a boost with the Queensland Government negotiating arrangements to ensure growers can certify fruit from fallen plants after Tropical Cyclone Ita.

Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Minister John McVeigh said this meant growers would now have until the 27th April to collect bananas under this arrangement and sell interstate.

“The banana industry was badly affected by Tropical Cyclone Ita last weekend,” Mr McVeigh said.

“The banana crop at Hope Vale was nearly totally destroyed, and banana crops on the Lakeland Downs and the Kennedy Valley also reported some damage.

“We don’t expect national supply to be affected, however it’s important we help those producers who were impacted to recover as quickly as possible.

“We promised to grow agriculture as one of the four pillars of the economy and this announcement delivers.

“This is an example of our Government’s support for the Queensland banana industry and their customers.”

Mr McVeigh said the market access arrangements would enable growers to retrieve fruit that was still in a mature green condition.

“Many of these windfall bunches should be suitable for marketing and consumption,” he said.

“Rather than let them go to waste, we are waiving the annual accreditation fee for eligible businesses to start using certification that allows them to sell their fruit based on these circumstances, which they may have not had prior to the cyclone.”

For eligibility, banana growers need to complete the application form for accreditation under the mature green condition of bananas (ICA-16) arrangement and submit this to their local Plant Biosecurity Officer for processing. The form can be downloaded from http://www.daff.qld.gov.au/environment/disaster-and-emergency-assistance/agency-disaster-support or by calling 13 25 23.

To maintain interstate market confidence in our produce, random inspections will still need to be carried out on packing sheds and transporters.

Freight subsidies and concessional loans are also available for primary producers impacted by Tropical Cyclone Ita and associated flooding. Contact QRAA on 1800 623 946 or the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry on 13 25 23.

[ENDS] 21 April 2014 

Media Contact: Lachlan Millar 0407 394 580