AustralianBANANAS Volume 21 DECEMBER 2005 Australian Banana Growers’ Council Inc ������������������� ����������������� �������������������������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������������������������� ���������������������������������������������������������������� �������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������ ���������������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������������ ������������������������ ������������������������������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������ �������������������������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������������� ��������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������ � � � � � � � � � ��������������������� GC5Y10_R2_297x210_ .indd 1 31/5/05 8:57:09 AM industrychairman’s column [email protected] Shortsighted view prevails s most industry people would be We are now left to contemplate things like aware, earlier this month the national how we make a career in bananas attractive Patrick Leahy Chairman Aballot held to gauge support for a to our best and brightest plant science compulsory levy was rejected by the majority graduates when there is no money for a of growers, with 57 percent voting against banana research program? the levy and only 43 percent in favour. This may not seem like a high priority I am concerned that this relatively strong to many now, but can you imagine our no vote reflects a short-sighted attitude that dilemma if there are no banana scientists does not auger well for the immediate future left to assist in dealing with a future exotic of our $400 million banana industry. pest or disease outbreak? Banana growers had been asked to vote As a consequence of the levy decision on a proposed 1.2 percent ad valorum we will remain solely reliant on voluntary levy, with 0.8 percent of the levy funds to funding to deliver promotion and plant be invested in marketing and promotion protection related activities. I believe it is and 0.4 percent in industry research and critically important that growers continue to development. support the work of the Australian Banana We were asking growers to invest just Promotions Company and the ABGC Plant 1.6c/kg of bananas (based on a sale price Health Committee in these important areas. of $18/carton) in their future and the majority The ABGC must now also take stock of those who voted have rejected that. and review all options for delivering basic The subject of compulsory national levies services in key areas. is always a contentious one in any industry We will commence this process by so it is no surprise that the proposed undertaking a strategic planning exercise national banana levy also had its share of early in the New Year when we will be detractors. seeking input from all sectors of the industry What I do find surprising is the fact that into the development of a new industry a majority of the growers that voted in strategic plan. the national levy ballot would choose to I would like to take this opportunity to vote against something that would have thank all those people that contributed provided funding to pay for the eradication time, energy and expertise to the national of future exotic pest or disease incursions levy process. Space prevents me from and compensate affected growers for crop mentioning you all by name but without your losses. efforts we could not have come this far. I don’t believe that the Thank you also to my fellow ABGC full implications of the levy directors whose resolve in support of the levy never waivered. decision will be immediately It is impossible to undertake fundamental evident in the short term reform of this nature without unity and single but I strongly believe that minded-commitment at board level. there will come a day when Finally, a special thank you to my wife Ellen and family who took over my personal as an industry, we will be responsibilities whilst I spent much of this forced to confront the year on the road with the levy consultation legacy of what I regard as process or pre-occupied with other ABGC our short-sightedness. matters. Australian BANANAS 3 industrycontents industry imports research markets anana grower Trevor Black rode 1900km Bto attend the Sixth Australian Banana Industry Congress in Cairns during August. COVER: Trevor was keen to hear about the imports campaign, exotic diseases and other potential Trevor Black threats to industry, but equally keen to meet from Numulgi the challenge of a long-haul motorbike trip. near Lismore The Black family farm at Numulgi, 12km in New South from Lismore in northern New South Wales, CONTENTS Wales. Photo with three generations involved in the business by MARK – Trevor’s father Frank, his brother Darren, DUFFUS. and three sons, aged eight, 11 and 14. Imports campaign 5 ABGC directors 6 Industry awaits code of conduct 7 Australian Congress action 8-9 Banana Family Fun Day 10-11 Banana Ball 12 BANANAS Congress keynote speaker 13 Australian Volume 21 BANANAS is the biannual Seeking causes for speckle 14 DECEMBER 2005 Organic matter impacts 15 magazine Biological insecticide options 16-17 produced by Published by: Re-engineering systems 18-19 the Australian Bioindicators of soil health 20 Banana Australian Banana Growers’ Council Inc Using bacteria for benefit 21 Growers’ PO Box 309 Controlling corm rot 22 Council Inc. BRISBANE MARKET QLD 4106 Freckle is on our doorstep 23 Phone: 07 3278 4786 Biosecuring the future 24 Fax: 07 3278 4938 ABGC is Robots join sigatoka battle 25 Email: [email protected] Suppressing Fusarium 26-27 funded by Internet: www.abgc.org.au a voluntary Increasing plant defences 28 grower levy of Board of Directors 2005: 2c/carton. Out and about at Congress 29 Chairman: Patrick Leahy New CRC up and running 30 Articles Vice-Chairman: Nicky Singh Harvesting support for 2&5 31 appearing in Directors: Peter Bale, Cameron MacKay, Tissue culture crusader 32 Australian Marc Jackson, Mark Reppel, Tom Day, Tissue culture research 33 Vicky Kippin-O’Connor BANANAS do South African trip insights 34-35 not necessarily Staff: Hydroponic growing in WA 36 represent ABPCL Chairman’s Report 37-39 Chief Executive Officer: Tony Heidrich the policies, Radio promotion works 40 Office Manager: Jann Uhr New BIPB meets in Tully 41 opinions or Machine export opportunity 42 Magazine production: views of the ABGC Annual Report 43-45 ABGC. New Products 46 Editor: Jane Milburn 0408 787 964 [email protected] The R&D Markets - Adelaide and Perth 47 Research consultant: Ron Peterson Markets - Sydney and Melbourne 48 section of the 07 4092 1701 [email protected] Markets - Brisbane and Newcastle 49 magazine is Advertising: Annabelle deMilliere Markets - throughput summary 50 jointly funded 0414 561 945 or 07 3818 2468 with HAL. Innisfail Banana Race Day 51-52 Tweed Banana Festival 52 4 Australian BANANAS importscampaign continues [email protected] Third draft tipped for mid-2006 Justice Crennan rejected the pork industry’s he third draft Import Risk Analysis being Len Collins application to have the High Court hear the produced by Biosecurity Australia is likely Imports chair to be released before the middle of next case, saying it was not a suitable matter for the T court to consider. Photos: (below) year, according to our latest information. There are nine permanent Biosecurity Australia I met the new chief executive of Biosecurity ABC Country staffers working constantly on the banana IRA as Australia John Cahill at the Rural Press Club’s Hour’s Robin well as the import risk assessment panel. Ekka breakfast in August, at which Mr Cahill McConchie We believe that there is still a lot of work to be said BA is determined to lift its game. interviews Len done on the new draft, and May or June would Mr Cahill acknowledged rural sector hostility Collins, and be the earliest release date. after a number of controversial import risk (bottom left) The delays are partly due to questions raised assessments during the past 12 months and John Cahill with and information gathered by Biosecurity Australia the revelation that cartons of Brazilian beef had Jane Milburn at stakeholder meetings in Brisbane that were been dumped at the Wagga Wagga tip. and Courier-Mail attended by ABGC representatives, as well as He was keen to make the point that there had business writer our scientific and statistical consultants. been big changes made to Biosecurity Australia Liliana Molina. We also understand that Biosecurity Australia since last December, including is seeking to visit Philippines plantations so that greater independence from its officers can see first-hand how any proposed government. risk mitigation measures, such as a chlorine Mr Cahill said the changes wash, would work in that country. include: becoming a prescribed This is encouraging because in the past agency with financial we have been concerned that the Australian autonomy; the appointment of quarantine regulator was too ready to accept the an eminent scientists’ group to Philippines’ word on some proposed measures ensure stakeholder comments that clearly seem impractical and unworkable to are considered; and the Australian growers. establishment
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