Banana Freckle Virus has crippled crops across the Northern Territory and teams are working around the clock to eradicate it before it spreads further. The disease significantly reduces the growth of leaves and bunches of fruit on trees, as well as impacting appearance. The only way to stop the virus is to destroy all banana plants.
"I acknowledge that whether it's banana plants or other plants in the garden, there's an attachment to it, and a decision to have those plants removed is very difficult," State Controller Kevin Cooper said.
The first phase is removal, then from April all banana plants will be banned for one year before being reintroduced in 2016. From then, each plant will come with a permit and it is likely the initial round of trees will be free.
An eradication team is making its way through the suburbs at a rate of 100 backyards each day to remove an estimated 8000 trees. They are now halfway through the mammoth job.
"They've been great, they've been respectful, they've been efficient - and very careful about explaining the whole issue and it saves me a dump run," Banana plant owner Ilana Eldridge said.
Source - http://www.freshplaza.com
